Purchasing Category Manager - Machining and forged parts

Do you have experience in category management, sourcing, negotiation, or management consulting? Are you motivated to transform ways of working and have effective interpersonal skills? Do you also know how to structure and prioritize proactive and reactive activities? Is aerospace a passion for you?

Keep reading, this might be your next opportunity!

Purchasing Category Manager – Machining and forged parts

SKF Aerospace Business Unit Supply Chain and Purchasing team is currently establishing a flexible, agile, and creative organization. We are now looking for an experienced and motivated Category Manager to further develop and execute the SKF Aerospace purchasing strategy within the Machining and forged parts domain. This will be done in close cooperation with key internal stakeholders within the Aerospace Business Unit. 

The scope included in this role is the machining and forged activities (subcontracting or bought components).

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Define the categories’ strategy for the European factories.
• Driving purchasing strategy development of the catgories as well as identifying and executing regional synergies and cost-out opportunities to support all the Aerospace European factories in reaching defined cost targets.
• Ensuring that supplier bases are properly equipped with capacity/capability, standardized contracts, and competition models, as well as efficient/effective request-to-order processes.
• Working closely with local purchasing organizations and stakeholders on strategic and tactical sourcing projects.
• Informing stakeholders and the purchasing team about market trends, price changes, and developing response actions as necessary.
• Implementing and managing Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), including proactive risk mitigation, sustainability requirements, and global contract management.
• Providing advice and guidance on structural change items, such as sustainability
• Support all the other departments (purchasing, Supply Chain and new projects, and sustainability teams) in their activity

What we expect you to have

The candidate we are looking for should have a relevant educational background, considerable purchasing experience, and a deep understanding of machining and forged parts. The knowledge of Aerospace is a plus.

• Degree in Mechanical / Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field
• Experience in category management, sourcing, negotiation, and contracting preferably in a multinational environment.
• Experience to manage cross-functional projects (project management) in a global context.
• Effective communication skills, change management skills, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken

SKF is committed to creating a diverse environment, and we firmly believe that a diverse workforce is essential for our continued success. Therefore, we only focus on your experience, skills, and potential. Come as you are – just be yourself. #weareSKF

You will enjoy working here if you... 

• have high analytical and logical reasoning abilities.
• have the ability to structure and prioritize proactive and reactive activities.
• have solid business acumen and high integrity/ethics, as well as good negotiation skills

What we can bring you

• A thriving industry: Join the exciting world of aerospace — a fast-growing and innovative sector.
• A unique opportunity: Bring your ideas and skills to this newly created position and help shape it from the ground up.
• Meaningful challenges: Take on stimulating responsibilities where your strategic vision will guide key decisions.

Some additional information 

The position will be based in Italy, Villar Perosa site (on local contract).

You will report to the Aerospace Purchasing Manager Europe.

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Simona Collino, Recruitment Expert Europe & Africa, at simona.collino@skf.com. Please note that we can't accept applications via email, due to GDPR. 

Is this you? 

If the answer is "yes!", please submit your application with your CV and cover letter in English, no later than January 6th, 2026. Candidates will hear from us shortly after the final application date.

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