Category Sourcing Manager Ocean Freight

In this global Ocean Freight role, you own the category strategy and drive hands-on execution to optimize supply chain movements. You will lead major sourcing programs, negotiate with carriers and logistics partners, and govern supplier relationships across regions. You’ll monitor market dynamics and risk, delivering measurable value through cost savings and network improvements. You’ll partner with cross-functional teams on sustainability and NPI initiatives, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. This is a strategic, internationally oriented role with a clear impact on Philips’ logistics performance.

• Health and well-being programs
• Career growth resources and development budget
• Annual leave 25 days plus up to 20 extra days
• Financial incentive: annual bonus
• Pension plan
• Health insurance package and share purchase discounts

• Develop and execute global ocean freight category strategies aligned with business and supply chain priorities
• Lead major sourcing programs, negotiations, and contract management with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics providers
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and governance to drive performance and continuous improvement
• Monitor market dynamics, capacity trends, geopolitical developments and cost drivers to identify risks and opportunities
• Deliver value through cost optimization, process improvement, network efficiencies, and supplier performance management
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders on initiatives including network optimization, sustainability programs, and New Product Introduction (NPI) projects
• Support supply chain resilience through risk management and strategic capacity planning
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on logistics market developments and procurement strategy

• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong ocean freight category and market knowledge
• Minimum 5 years of experience negotiating major commercial contracts
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable execution and defend recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Influence and persuade stakeholders without direct authority
• Independent work style with self-direction across Europe, the Americas, and APAC
• International and multicultural experience; proficiency in English as business language
• Ideally knowledge in game theory or negotiation-excellence, strong analytical and Excel capabilities, tender experience, logistics experience, or regional market exposure

• Effective communication with senior stakeholders
• Influence without authority
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Excel proficiency
• Tendering experience
• Negotiation-excellence knowledge