Category Buyer (S)

Purpose

• You’ll own key partnerships As a Category Buyer, you’ll manage a portfolio of strategic partners that truly matter, working under the guidance of Category Managers. Your scope covers critical products and services such as lifesaving equipment, mooring systems, and mechanical handling equipment. Your work directly strengthens SBM’s competitiveness and helps secure a reliable supply for complex offshore projects worldwide.
• You’ll play in a global team with real impact. You’ll join the Global Marine & Mooring Category Team, shaping portfolio strategy for critical equipment and services for key stakeholders in the EPCIO domains. Working alongside experienced Category Managers, you’ll be involved in sourcing, supplier management, and contract management—always with a strong focus on Total Cost Effectiveness and smart, sustainable decisions.
• You’ll grow fast, with support. Reporting to the Global Category Manager, you’ll collaborate closely with Category Managers and fellow Category Buyers across the globe. You’ll learn from different perspectives, build international exposure, and develop your expertise within your own specialization—while being trusted to take ownership early on.
• You’ll help shape the future. Through your role, you’ll actively contribute to business development, stronger supplier relationships, and continuous improvement across the value chain—making your impact visible far beyond procurement.

Responsibilities

• You support the Category Manager or Senior Category Buyer in the effective management strategic suppliers. Monitor vendor’s financial data, load level, capacity and investment plans. Perform Market analysis
• You ensure that commercial agreements match projects and operations needs and bring benefits such as simplification, competitive prices, manufacturing slots reservation.
• You Embark lesson learnt into vendor commercial improvement monitoring.
• You deliver Frame Agreement as per defined contracting plan on target as defined in the Category Strategy.
• You support the negotiation with suppliers for packages / services in your area, as required, using benchmark and cost breakdown models, bringing TCO parameters into the equation
• You support Project & Operations teams when the relationship with the vendor is at risk (e.g. dispute & claims resolution, manufacturing performance, slot allocation)
• You measure the contracted savings from the implementation of the category strategy and other relevant SC KPIs for the category.
• You Measure, Monitor and Report KPIs as required
•  

Education

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.

Experience

• Previous experience in procurement or supply chain management is a plus—ideally within the oil & gas industry or with an OEM or service provider in the maritime equipment sector.
• Commercial Acumen.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis and market research.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.
• Market knowledge for the targeted products
• Knowledge in Total Cost of Ownership methodology
• Understanding of Cost Breakdown models
• Good understanding of the products in your category in liaison with technical stakeholders

Functional Competencies