At Lely, we develop high-tech, innovative solutions that make the lives of dairy farmers more enjoyable, sustainable, and efficient. As a Category Manager Mechatronics, you play a key role in this mission by enabling supplier innovation and selecting and connecting the right partners to our mechatronic solutions. These are suppliers who deliver on time, within budget, and according to the highest quality standards, ensuring business continuity.

In this role, you act as the vital link between suppliers and internal stakeholders such as R&D, Mechatronics Engineering, and Operations. You ensure that sourcing activities optimally support system performance, total cost of ownership, and sustainability throughout the entire product lifecycle. Within your category, you are end-to-end responsible for sourcing and contracting complex mechatronic components and systems, fully aligned with the category strategy and technology roadmap. You work closely with Engineering and Integrated Supply Chain colleagues to integrate procurement early in the product development cycle and to drive joint innovation with suppliers.

A key element of this position is broadening and deepening the team’s knowledge of mechatronics. You focus on electromechanical components and systems such as actuators, sensors, motors, cable harnesses, and control units, as well as the related production and assembly techniques. By further developing this technical expertise, you contribute to well-informed sourcing decisions that strengthen product performance, reliability, and innovation.

Your main responsibilities:

• Contribute to and execute the category sourcing strategy and related policies;
• Monitor market and technological developments within mechatronics and translate these into sourcing strategies and supplier selection;
• Execute sourcing and contracting projects in line with category and business needs, including supply risk mitigation and sustainability;
• Lead negotiations and establish supplier contracts;
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with suppliers and continuously improve their performance;
• Manage supplier risks, compliance, and contracts to maximize value.

With your calm and structured way of working, you bring stability to the team. At the same time, you thrive on close collaboration with suppliers and feel comfortable in a role that involves frequent travel.