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Category specialist (ALLEX graduate program) M/W

  • Job
    Full-time
    Entry Level
  • Logistics
    Business, Operations & Strategy
  • Lyon
  • Quick Apply

AI generated summary

  • You should have a 5-year degree, purchasing experience, negotiation skills, fluent English, IT proficiency, analytical ability, strong interpersonal skills, autonomy, and curiosity.
  • You will develop purchasing strategies, coordinate with subsidiaries, conduct negotiations, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost optimization projects for assigned categories.

Requirements

  • You have a 5-year degree from an engineering or business school, and initial experience in purchasing management in an international environment.
  • Successful experience(s) in purchasing management and negotiation
  • Fluent English, 3rd language appreciated
  • Good command of IT tools (Google environment, Excel, Power BI)
  • Ability to analyze and summarize, rigor
  • Listening and interpersonal skills
  • Autonomy and leadership
  • Curiosity and intuition

Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the purchasing strategy to support international affiliates in their development,
  • Depending on the level of delegation, define the purchasing strategy for the purchasing category sub-segments and coordinate with subsidiaries and Category Managers.
  • Implement purchasing strategy for assigned projects:
  • Consolidate and analyze the needs of all geographies, launch calls for tender, conduct purchasing negotiations and contract with suppliers on project activities defined with Category Managers;
  • Influence and support subsidiaries in the deployment of projects contributing to global business strategy;
  • Manage the risks and opportunities associated with Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for the projects in question;
  • Identify, propose and lead cost optimization projects in coordination with subsidiaries, using a TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) approach.
  • Participate in the continuous improvement of management processes and tools.

FAQs

What is the role of a Category Specialist in the ALLEX graduate program?

The Category Specialist in the ALLEX graduate program will be responsible for handling their purchase category, implementing purchasing strategies, and coordinating with Category Managers and Home Healthcare affiliates to optimize price efficiencies while ensuring a high level of service for patients.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A 5-year degree from an engineering or business school, along with initial experience in purchasing management in an international environment, is required.

Are there opportunities for international assignments in this program?

Yes, participants in the ALLEX program will engage in two international assignments within Europe lasting 3 months each over a 3-year period, allowing them to discover different business areas and working environments at Air Liquide.

What skills are necessary for this role?

Required skills include successful experience in purchasing management and negotiation, fluency in English (with a third language appreciated), and a good command of IT tools like Google Workspace, Excel, and Power BI.

Is there support for personal and professional development in the program?

Yes, ALLEX participants will benefit from an international network, development programs, and mentoring, facilitating their personal and professional growth.

What personal skills are important for success in this position?

Key personal skills include the ability to analyze and summarize effectively, strong listening and interpersonal skills, autonomy and leadership, as well as curiosity and intuition.

Does Air Liquide promote diversity and inclusion in its workplace?

Yes, Air Liquide is committed to creating a collaborative and inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of its employees, clients, patients, stakeholders, and cultures around the world.

Is a cover letter required for the application?

While a cover letter is not explicitly mentioned in the job description, it is generally recommended to include one to provide additional context about your motivation and qualifications for the position.

What is the hiring process for this position?

The hiring process typically includes application submission, resume review, potential interviews, and any necessary assessments to evaluate candidates' suitability for the role.

Can I apply if I have a background in a different field?

While the ideal candidate has experience in purchasing management, the program is open to qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds who meet the educational requirements and demonstrate relevant skills and competencies.

A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health

Manufacturing & Electronics
Industry
10,001+
Employees
1902
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 73 countries with approximately 67,100 employees and serves more than 3.9 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide’s strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition—particularly with hydrogen—and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies. Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to more than 29.9 billion euros in 2022. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes.