Global Category Lead Engineering & Construction (Switzerland)

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Global Category Lead - Engineering & Construction

We are looking for a Global Category Lead - Engineering & Construction who is strategic, collaborative, and innovative to join us in our Procurement and Infrastructure team, based in our Bulle office in Switzerland.

About the role

As Global Category Lead - Engineering & Construction, you will play a key role in shaping the sourcing strategy behind major capital investment projects across our global network. You will lead procurement activities for engineering services, construction works, installation services, and integrated project delivery models, ensuring that investments are delivered efficiently, sustainably, and with the right balance of cost, quality, and risk.

In this highly visible leadership role, you will partner with senior stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, Legal, Sustainability, and Project Management to develop sourcing strategies that support business growth and operational excellence. You will challenge existing ways of working, drive continuous improvement, and build strong partnerships with strategic suppliers worldwide.

You will work closely with a team of procurement professionals, supporting their growth, encouraging collaboration, and helping them deliver long-term value and supply continuity across the organization.

Who you'll work with

You will be working in a team that supports global investment and infrastructure programs across multiple sites and regions. The team collaborates closely with engineering, operations, project delivery, finance, legal, sustainability, quality, and environmental health and safety professionals to bring critical projects to life.

As a senior business partner, you will engage with executive leaders and strategic suppliers, helping to shape investment decisions, procurement strategies, and long-term partnerships that enable sustainable business growth.

What you'll do

• Develop and implement global sourcing strategies for engineering and construction categories aligned with business investment priorities.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects, supplier selection processes, contract negotiations, and commercial discussions with key partners worldwide.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with engineering companies and construction partners to enhance performance, innovation, and reliability.
• Define commercial frameworks and contracting models that balance project delivery, value creation, compliance, and risk management.
• Drive supplier performance through clear metrics covering cost, quality, schedule, safety, sustainability, and service excellence.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, standardization, and process improvement across global investment projects.
• Lead, coach, and develop a global team of category professionals while supporting talent growth and succession planning.
• Establish procurement governance, processes, and standards for capital investment projects across regions and sites.

Interested?
For this role we're looking for the following education, experience and skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Procurement, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in strategic procurement, sourcing, and contract management within engineering, infrastructure, construction, or capital project environments.
• Proven experience leading complex commercial negotiations and developing strategic supplier partnerships on a global scale.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams within a multinational environment.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with experience evaluating risk, cost drivers, and value creation opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions, cultures, and geographies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project leadership capabilities, coupled with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Professional procurement, project management, or supply chain certification is an advantage

Internal applicants should be in their current job for at least 12 months, must meet performance standards and are not on formal corrective/disciplinary process (PIP), warning, final warning, or compliance warning letters within the last 12 months. Please inform your Manager or your Talent Partner before applying to any internal job opportunities.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description, this role is hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office, irrespective of your current contractual agreement. Should your current working arrangements differ, please contact your Talent Partner to discuss, before submitting your application.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [email protected] . Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.

Requisition ID: 93957

Recruiter: Pierre-Julien Dechassat

Hiring Manager: Jamel Boubnan

Talent Partner: Julie Luypaert

Job Level: SM II

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