Category Manager, Travel & Indirect

What we offer you

• A high visibility, high impact role at Hydro’s global procurement organization.
• The opportunity to lead a strategically important global category and corporate service portfolio.
• A multicultural environment with colleagues across Hungary, Norway, Brazil, India, and global business units.
• Strong opportunities for professional development and exposure to senior leadership.

What you will be doing

• Own and execute global Travel category strategy, including sourcing, contracting, negotiations, and supplier management.
• Support GBS Finance to successfully roll out Travel as a Service (TaaS), ensuring optimized commercial position and alignment of processes, systems, and service levels across all Hydro entities.
• Manage a portfolio of indirect/corporate services (Compliance, Legal, Marketing, Audit, Finance), ensuring performance, compliance, and value creation.
• Conduct strategic sourcing events, benchmarking, and long-term supplier performance management, including implementation of Supplier Relationship Management practices (QBRs, KPIs, performance improvement plans).
• Drive cost reduction initiatives, total cost of ownership improvements, and continuous process optimization.
• Act as a trusted procurement advisor to stakeholders, ensuring that sourcing strategies are aligned with business objectives while constructively challenging established practices to drive continuous improvement.

What will make you successful?

Experience & Expertise 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, or related field.
• 10+ years' experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing, including deep expertise in the Travel category, with a proven track record in Travel program transformation, TMC sourcing, travel policy design, and global travel operations.
• Additional experience in Indirect services is a strong advantage.
• Experienced in managing complex supplier portfolios and leading high stakes negotiations.
• Strong analytical abilities, including TCO analysis, cost modeling, and strategic decision making.
• Fluent in English.

Leadership & Soft Skills 

• Adept at influencing senior stakeholders and aligning diverse business needs.
• Proven ability to lead large cross functional initiatives and drive change across global organizations.
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative, forward leaning mindset.