Category Manager Nordics, Kekkilä-BVB

Kekkilä-BVB is the European leader in horticulture. We provide products and services for professional greenhouse growers, retail, consumers and landscapers to over 100 countries worldwide. We have strong product brands within the professional and consumer growing markets, trading under the names of BVB Substrates, Kekkilä Professional, Brill Substrates, BVB Landscaping, Kekkilä, Hasselfors Garden, Terra Brill, Jardino and Florentus. Together with our customers we grow for a better future. Kekkilä-BVB is a part of Neova Group. www.kekkila-bvb.com
Do you want to play a key role in leading the future growth of an inspiring business of gardening? Kekkilä-BVB is looking for


Category Manager Nordics
Kekkilä-BVB Procurement & Logistics, Nordics is responsible for the strategic development and operational management of sourcing and procurement in direct procurement categories and logistics within Kekkilä-BVB Nordics Business Area and also responsible for Indirect procurement categories globally within Kekkilä-BVB Group. Function also supports other Neova Group businesses in selected indirect procurement categories. Kekkilä-BVB Procurement & Logistics aims at creating best value through best-in class procurement and logistics management capability and performance. Customer centricity and effective collaboration within Business Areas, with internal and external customers and other functions and with external partners are key success factors.


About the role
We are now looking for a Category Manager into Kekkilä-BVB Procurement & Logistics, Nordics to manage selected indirect procurement categories. Role reports to Head of Kekkilä-BVB Procurement & Logistics, Nordics. Category Manager works in deep collaboration with all Kekkilä-BVB´s Business Areas globally and in addition supports also other businesses within Neova Group in selected categories. Your home location will be in Vantaa, Finland; De Lier Netherlands or Örebro, Sweden. Role requires 20-30% traveling
In the role as Category Manager you will have an exciting position in the company's category management and sourcing, strategically and tactically. You will be involved in development and execution of Kekkilä-BVB´s procurement strategy and contributing to the implementation of Kekkilä-BVB´s sustainability strategy.


Who are you?
You will be responsible for strategic and tactical category management and sourcing in responsible indirect purchasing categories. You will develop and implement category strategies, manage strategic suppliers and manage main supplier negotiations. You will also participate in Kekkilä-BVB´s responsible sourcing strategy work and you will be key person for developing and implementing Responsible Sourcing activities and you will also support other Neova Group businesses with these activities. You are also working actively to ensure close and effective cooperation with other departments and teams within Kekkilä-BVB Group through countries. To your help you have competent colleagues within Procurement & Logistics, Group Services, Business Areas and Operations.


Job requirements
We see that you have an academic education, preferably in industrial economics, technology or that you have gained experience in some other way that can be considered equivalent. We are looking for someone who has several years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, responsible sourcing activity development and project management. You should also have a strategic and tactical approach.
It is a merit if you have experience in development project management, as well as experience in change management in industrial environment.
Your prestigeless and down-to-earth approach is characterized by clarity and trust. You have good experience in sustainable procurement category management and strategic sourcing and you are able to manage change and development projects. You are inspirational and communicative. You have the ability to make people around you feel good and achieve good results together. With your analytical mindset you are driven and motivated to work towards set goals while working in a structured and methodical way. You strive forward and work in a development oriented way.
To be successful in this challenging and exciting role in Kekkilä-BVB, person who we look for has achieved great success in following areas:
Has great co-operation skills – effective networking and collaboration in matrix organization
Have a professional, representative and humble approach
Takes responsibility, both for the business and for its own development
Have strong skills in:
Category management incl. supplier management;
Strategic sourcing;
Responsible sourcing activity development;
Project and change management;
Procurement processes and digitalization;
Is businesslike;
Is analytical and solution oriented;
Quickly grasps new situations and sees change as an opportunity.



Since Kekkilä-BVB is an international company fluent English in addition to fluent Finnish, Dutch or Swedish is mandatory.
Fill your application no later than 21th November 2023. As hiring manager is Finnish your application needs to be in English.
For more information please contact Jani Mökkönen via jani.mokkonen@neova-group.com.