Senior Manager - Set the direction for Indirect Category Management Senior Manager - Set the direction for Indirect Category Management

Location: Aarhus, Aalborg or Copenhagen

Are you passionate about driving strategic category management? And do you thrive in a role where you can influence sourcing decisions, collaborate across departments, and drive measurable impact? We are looking for a Senior Manager to lead the development and execution of category strategies in close collaboration with stakeholders and category management team. If this sounds like the right challenge for you, read on! 

Be a part of an ambitious strategic journey

You will be responsible for driving category management within “Indirect Category Management”. As Senior Manager, you are a leader with a practical approach, guiding a team of skilled and ambitious specialists in sourcing and category management. Together, you will shape strategic initiatives, optimize supplier performance, and deliver value across the organization.

Procurement plays a key role in Norlys’ One 2027 strategy, with a strong focus on cost efficiency and business impact. This is your opportunity to lead change, influence decisions at the highest level, and contribute directly to our strategic goals.

You will collaborate closely with key stakeholders across Finance, People & Culture, Strategy, and consultants throughout the business and the Executive Management of the company. The stakeholder landscape is complex and your ability to navigate this environment, build strong relationships, and align category strategies with business needs will be essential. 

Lead strategic procurement

As Senior Manager, you will drive category strategy, market analysis, and supplier performance across a diverse product portfolio. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally, manage financial targets, and lead a team focused on innovation, compliance, and continuous improvement - all aligned with Norlys’ strategic goals.

Your key responsibilities include: 

• Acting as a strategic advisor to stakeholders and ensuring procurement involvement in key projects 

• Developing and implementing category strategies and long-term plans 

• Ensure governance, compliance, and category development 

• Drive sustainability and ESG initiatives in procurement 

• Leading complex sourcing projects and high-level negotiations 

• Analyzing market trends and supplier performance to inform decisions 

• Achieving KPIs such as contract coverage, cost savings, and risk management 

• Coaching and developing your team while delegating effectively 

• Building strong collaboration with management, legal, and external partners. 

A strategic mindset and a strong commercial foundation

As the ideal candidate, you bring a strategic mindset and a strong commercial foundation. You are confident navigating complex procurement landscapes and thrive in a role where leadership, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decisions are key. Your ability to build trust, drive results, and lead with clarity makes you a valuable partner across the organization.

We expect you to bring: 

• A commercial or mercantile education at bachelor’s or master’s level 

• Fluent English skills - spoken and written at negotiation level 

• Proven experience in category management, strategic sourcing, and team leadership 

• Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities 

• Familiarity with e-sourcing and CLM systems 

• Knowledge of ESG, risk management, and compliance 

• Ability to translate data and analysis into strategic decisions 

• Excellent stakeholder management and business acumen 

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience 

• A decisive, trustworthy, and inspiring leadership style 

Do you want to shape the future of category management in Norlys?

If you have questions, please contact Senior Director of Procurement, Karen Frost Sørensen at kareso@norlys.dk or 2922 8519.

Diversity and inclusion are part of Norlys’ DNA and our core values: Community, Innovative Thinking & Responsibility.

We believe that a true community is inclusive, safe, and inspiring; that it is responsible to create space for diversity; and that we innovate best when we bring all competencies into play. Therefore, we encourage everyone to apply for the position, regardless of background.

We conduct interviews on an ongoing basis and will take down the job posting once we’ve found the right candidate, so please send us your CV as soon as possible.