Global Category Manager - Direct Procurement

Overview

Fisher & Paykel Appliances is a renowned luxury appliance brand designed and engineered in New Zealand, with presence in over 50 countries, supported by the global Haier Group. The Global Direct Procurement team manages NZ$250 million in direct material expenditures globally, influencing the cost, resilience, and competitiveness of the products.

Role Location

Based in Auckland, this is a pivotal and highly commercial procurement role in New Zealand.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement 3 to 5-year category strategies grounded in market insights, total cost assessments, and product development roadmaps, converting these into actionable sourcing objectives.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations aimed at cost reduction and avoidance, leveraging synergies across the Haier Group to manage volatile commodity prices.
• Ensure alignment of category strategies with cross-functional teams by building business cases, aligning key stakeholders, and leading delivery initiatives.
• Manage entire supplier relationships from selection and contracting to performance evaluation and collaborative innovation on a global scale.
• Serve as the principal procurement contact for senior internal leaders, effectively influencing decision-making processes.
• Mentor and develop emerging procurement professionals to cultivate future leadership within the organisation.

Candidate Profile

• Possesses entrepreneurial commercial leadership, treating categories and supplier partnerships with business ownership mentality and urgency.
• Experienced senior professional familiar with handling demanding suppliers and executive stakeholders.
• Highly organised and delivery-oriented; manages complex workloads and multiple priorities with strong execution capability.
• Track record of successfully managing complex, high-value projects in global manufacturing or direct material procurement environments.
• Demonstrates strong commercial skills including cost and value analysis, contract negotiation, and strategic data interpretation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to senior executives.

Preferred but Not Mandatory

• Experience managing supplier relationships across Asian markets with cultural and operational understanding of China and Southeast Asia.
• Fluency in Mandarin language.
• Background in electronics, PCBA, or technology-related direct material sectors.

Opportunity Highlights

• Manage significant spending across a global supply network impacting a premium brand competing internationally.
• Gain access to Haier Group's global sourcing network and joint negotiation advantages.
• Work autonomously to create strategies and be accountable for tangible commercial results in a challenging environment.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary package and flexible working options.
• Generous discounts on Fisher & Paykel and Haier products.
• Life and disability insurance coverage and discounted medical plans.
• Participation in a superannuation scheme.
• Access to onsite subsidised café and complimentary parking.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a CV along with a cover note highlighting key achievements and motivating reasons for pursuing this role.

Equal Opportunity

Fisher & Paykel is committed to equal opportunity employment without discrimination based on any legally protected characteristics.