Group Lead, Demand Management Sales & Project Execution (APAC)

Vanderlande is seeking a Group Leader, Demand Management – Procurement to lead and further develop our Demand Management function across both Sales and Project Execution. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for driving procurement strategy, ensuring alignment across the full project lifecycle, and leading a team of Demand Managers to deliver value, mitigate risk, and support business growth. 

As the Group Leader, you will oversee both the strategic direction and operational execution of procurement activities, ensuring seamless integration between early sales engagement and project delivery. You will act as a key interface between Procurement, Category Management, Supply Chain, and Business stakeholders.   

Our global procurement organization enables our projects and business functions by maximizing value and minimizing risks via the procurement of goods and services in a cost-effective and sustainable way. We ensure a resilient and competitive supplier ecosystem and aim to advance towards best-in-class practices, and ensure the organization is efficient, effective, and future-proof. Furthermore, our procurement organization plays a key role in Vanderlande's transformation from an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) to a Configure-to-Order (CTO) business model. This new model aims at enhancing value for its customers through increased standardization, scalability, and more competitive solutions

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Responsibilities 

• Lead and develop the Demand Management function, overseeing both Demand Managers of Sales and Project Execution, ensuring alignment across the full project lifecycle. 

• Define and implement procurement strategies that support business objectives, drive cost optimization, and increase CTO adoption while managing ETO complexity.  

• Provide leadership and direction to a dedicated team of Demand Managers, including coaching, performance management, workforce planning, and capability development.  

• Own the interface with key stakeholders including Sales, Project Execution, Category Management, Supply Chain, and Legal to ensure alignment on procurement strategy and execution.  

• Drive governance and standardization, ensuring adherence to procurement processes, contract frameworks, and compliance requirements across all projects.  

• Oversee complex procurement activities, including RFx strategies, supplier selection, and contract negotiations for third-party equipment and installation services.  

• Act as escalation point for critical procurement and commercial issues, ensuring timely resolution and risk mitigation. 

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including development and enforcement of standardized operating procedures, tools, and best practices. 

• Ensure effective handover from Sales to Project Execution, maintaining continuity in procurement strategy, supplier alignment, and risk management.  

• Partner with Category Management to leverage global supplier strategies, frameworks, and pricing structures that support the region. 

• Drive performance tracking and reporting, including cost savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance, and project procurement KPIs.  

• Support organizational transformation initiatives, including Procurement’s role in Vanderlande’s global operating model and CTO strategy.