Junior Category Manager and Junior Sourcing & Procurement

Junior Category Manager – Procurement Track

In this role, you work at the strategic heart of procurement — developing the market intelligence, category strategies, and supplier relationships that determine how a company competes. You don't just manage what a company buys; you shape the supply foundation it depends on.

This is the entry point into strategic procurement — and intentionally so. The Junior Category Manager role is designed to build the complete procurement foundation: understanding data and spend patterns, formulating sourcing strategies, and taking those strategies into real supplier negotiations. You learn by doing, from day one, in live procurement environments. Few early-career roles offer this combination of analytical depth, strategic thinking, and direct commercial exposure simultaneously.

You develop deep competence in category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier ecosystems. Over time, you become the person who understands not just what a company buys — but why, from whom, at what risk, and how those decisions ripple through competitiveness, resilience, and long-term profitability.

This role sits at a powerful intersection — where business strategy meets supplier markets, and where analytical rigor meets the human dynamics of negotiation and relationships. You connect the commercial ambitions of the organization with the realities of the supply base, translating market insight into sourcing decisions that actually move the needle.

You work closely with business stakeholders, suppliers, and senior category managers — learning to balance short-term delivery with long-term supply positioning. In doing so, you become a critical link between what the business needs to grow, what the market can sustainably provide, and what procurement can strategically secure.

Working within the Procurement Academy, you build this competence in real procurement environments from day one — with structured development, senior mentoring, and exposure to the full complexity of industrial sourcing.

How can you contribute?
Probably with a lot of things, but in the role as a Junior Category Manager, it's good if you recognize yourself in this:

• A background in industrial engineering, business, industrial economics, or a related field

• Strategic curiosity — you want to understand not just how supplier markets work, but why they're structured the way they are

• Analytical sharpness combined with business judgment — you turn complex market data into clear sourcing strategies

• The confidence to negotiate, challenge assumptions, and hold a position under pressure — with suppliers and internal stakeholders alike

• Communication skills that build trust — with leadership, cross-functional teams, and the supply base

• An ownership mindset — you follow through until decisions are implemented, not just recommended

• A genuine interest in how sustainability, digitalization, and AI are reshaping the future of procurement

Junior Sourcing & Procurement – Analyst Supplier & Data Track

“Understand the supply networks that modern industry runs on.”

In this role, you work at the analytical core of procurement — building the supplier intelligence, spend insights, and data structures that drive strategic sourcing decisions. You don't just support the process; you make better decisions possible.

You develop deep competence in supplier analytics, sourcing data, and procurement systems. Over time, you become the person who understands not just what the numbers say — but what they mean for supply risk, cost competitiveness, and long-term supplier strategy.

This role sits at a unique intersection — where business logic meets supplier markets, and where data transforms into sourcing power. You connect the financial reality of the buying organization with the capabilities and constraints of the supply base, using analytics as the bridge between the two. Your insights directly influence category strategies, supplier selections, and sourcing negotiations.

You work closely with category managers, business stakeholders, and suppliers — translating complex data into clear recommendations that people act on. In doing so, you become a critical link between what the business needs, what the market can offer, and what procurement can deliver.

How can you contribute?
Probably with a lot of things, but in the role as a Junior Sourcing & Procurement, it's good if you recognize yourself in this:

• A background in engineering, supply chain, industrial economics, or data-related fields

• Sharp analytical instincts — you find patterns, question assumptions, and follow the logic wherever it leads

• Curiosity about how global supplier markets are structured, priced, and de-risked

• The ability to turn large, messy datasets into structured insights and clear recommendations

• Communication skills that make complex analysis accessible to decision-makers

• Comfort working in digital tools and procurement systems — and hunger to learn new ones

• A genuine interest in how AI and automation are reshaping procurement intelligence

Not checking all the boxes? Relax, we are happy to work with you who are willing to learn and want to evolve with us.

What can we offer you?

New Minds is not a typical recruitment company; we like to think of ourselves as a personal link between you and your dream job. Whether you want to work as a programmer, project manager, tester, or web designer, we at New Minds have the network, experience and desire to make your future exactly what you want it to be.

We believe in building a strong team through activities like after works, summer parties and kick offs where you get to network and have fun with your New Minds colleagues.

New Minds Academy
Our Academy-program is the optimal start to your career. By applying and qualifying for one of the programs within New Minds Academy you receive a number of training sessions throughout the year and the connections to grow into your future dream role.

Come work with us and let us support you to get to the next level!