Senior Category Manager

Location: Basel, BS, CH, 4030
Flexible Work Arrangement: Onsite
Job Category: SCM (Procurement, Logistics, Stores)
Career Level: Professional
Requisition Id: 4521

Since 1967, Jet Aviation has been crafting flight in its smoothest form. From one hangar in Basel, Switzerland, to over 4,500 employees, and some 50 locations worldwide. Aircraft Management, Aircraft Sales, Charter, Completions, Government Services, FBO, Fixed and Rotary Wing Maintenance, and Staffing. Behind every seamless Jet Aviation experience, is a team of dedicated professionals perfecting the art of flight. The artisans of aviation. The craft that brings our customers’ journey to life. In the hangar, on the ground, and behind the scenes. Enabling global flight, with passion.

Position Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled and results-driven Senior Category Manager to take ownership of strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiations, and category optimization across key spend areas. This role directly supports our MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul), RMU (Refurbishment, Modification & Upgrade), Completions programs, and FBO (Fixed‑Based Operations). As a senior member of our Supply Chain Management team, you will work closely with Sales, Engineering, Production, Quality, Program Management, and Logistics to design and execute category strategies that ensure reliable supply, drive cost efficiency, and enable on‑time delivery of complex aviation projects.

Your role

• Own and Lead Category Strategy: Define and execute category strategies for assigned spend areas, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and program needs. Build category structure and governance.
• Act as Primary Procurement Lead: Serve as the key procurement and category lead within MRO, RMU, and Completions project teams, leveraging deep technical and commercial knowledge.
• Manage Supplier Lifecycle: Oversee supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and performance for critical goods and services. Prepare business cases including total cost of ownership and ROI analysis.
• Steer Category Performance: Drive category performance to achieve cost, quality, and delivery objectives in line with business needs.
• Conduct Market and Supplier Analysis: Perform market analysis, supplier capability assessments, and cost benchmarking to inform data‑driven sourcing decisions.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Production: Influence specifications toward cost‑effective and supply‑secure solutions.
• Drive Supplier Performance Improvements: Implement supplier performance improvement plans, addressing quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Monitor and Report Category KPIs: Develop, monitor, and report on KPIs such as cost savings, on‑time delivery, supplier quality, and risk indicators.
• Anticipate and Mitigate Supply Risks: Develop contingency sourcing plans and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Support Continuous Improvement: Enhance category management processes, tools, and templates. Actively contribute to knowledge and best practice sharing across the team.
• Ensure Regulatory and Policy Compliance: Comply with internal policies, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements (EASA/FAA), and EHS standards.
• Lead Strategic Procurement Initiatives: Drive initiatives such as supplier consolidation, localization, and digital procurement adoption.

What We Offer You

• An exciting and challenging job in a dynamic environment.
• Various opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Working with the latest technologies and tools.
• A motivated and cheerful team that looks forward to working with you.
• Our events are great! We also have lots of fun together outside of working hours.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive procurement/category management experience in a manufacturing or aviation/aerospace environment.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing category strategies in a project‑driven industry.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with proven contract management experience.
• In‑depth understanding of procurement, supplier quality, and logistics processes.
• PMP, CPSM, or equivalent certification preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and procurement/category management tools.
• Fluent in English; German or French is an asset.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment, managing multiple high‑value projects concurrently.
• Direct exposure to MRO, RMU, or Completions projects in aviation or aerospace is highly valued.
• Familiarity with Lean Management.
• Familiarity with aviation regulatory requirements (EASA/FAA).
• Additional certifications (CIPS, Lean Six Sigma, or other operational excellence certifications) are advantageous.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills across all levels of the organization.
• Customer‑centric approach and business mindset, with a focus on increasing value for the end customer.
• Open to learning and development, receptive to feedback, and willing to take leadership on initiatives to help structure and scale the Strategic Procurement department.
• Familiarity with negotiation tools such as game theory or should‑cost modelling is a plus.

If you are interested in a multicultural, challenging and innovative working environment and your profile matches our requirements, we are looking forward to receiving your online application in English.