📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Global Category Manager, Marketing, Indirect Procurement
🔹 Company: GN Group
🔹 Location: Ballerup, Denmark
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing, Procurement
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing category strategies for global marketing departments
- Acting as a business partner to marketing leadership teams, guiding decisions with supplier and market-related input
- Delivering value through cost efficiencies, market analysis, and effectiveness
- Collaborating with stakeholders across business units and international travel
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to balance both operational and strategic tasks.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and implementing category strategies that align with company goals
✅ Supporting marketing leadership teams as a business partner
✅ Guiding decisions with supplier and market-related input
✅ Assessing opportunities for cost savings and process improvements
✅ Sourcing and negotiating large contracts with suppliers
✅ Establishing and building relationships with key suppliers
✅ Implementing initiatives that optimize demand and reduce costs
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, stakeholder management, and operational tasks, requiring a versatile skill set.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Relevant master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with several years of relevant work experience
Experience: Proven experience in category management, procurement, or a related field, preferably with a background in consulting
Required Skills:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Stakeholder management
- Opportunity assessment
- Supplier negotiation
- Supplier management
- Demand management
- Data analysis
- Problem-solving
- Global mindset
- Effective communication
- Initiative and self-motivation
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working as a consultant
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and a proven track record in category management or a related field will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €70,000 - €90,000 per year (Estimated, based on industry standards for a mid-level category manager in Denmark)
Benefits:
- Competitive pension plan
- Health insurance
- Flexible working hours
- Hybrid work arrangement
- International travel opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level category manager in Denmark. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: GN Group operates in the hearing aid, audio, video, and gaming industries, with a focus on enhancing people's senses through innovative technology
Company Size: GN Group has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and impact
Founded: 2018, as a subsidiary of GN, a global leader in intelligent audio solutions
Company Description:
- GN Group is a leading provider of intelligent audio and video solutions, with a focus on enhancing people's lives through innovative technology
- The company offers a range of products, including hearing aids, audio and gaming devices, and video conferencing solutions
- GN Group is committed to empowering people with hearing loss, improving communication and collaboration for businesses, and providing great experiences for audio and gaming enthusiasts
Company Specialties:
- Hearing aids
- Audio devices
- Gaming devices
- Video conferencing solutions
Company Website: https://www.jabraenhance.com/
ASSUMPTION: GN Group's focus on innovation and empowering people makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to make a meaningful impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development
Reporting Structure: Reports to Senior Category Manager, Head of Commercial Cluster, Niclas Hammarling
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the procurement function
- Opportunities to work on cross-functional projects and collaborate with other departments
- Chance to gain international experience through travel and working with global teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a mix of strategic and operational responsibilities, providing opportunities for both professional growth and impact.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with on-site amenities
Office Location(s): Ballerup, Denmark
Geographic Context:
- Ballerup is a suburban area of Copenhagen, Denmark's capital city
- The office is located near public transportation, shopping, and dining options
- Copenhagen offers a high quality of life, with a strong focus on work-life balance
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible hours provide a good work-life balance, while the modern office space fosters collaboration and innovation.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interview with hiring manager
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Data analysis and decision-making
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your category management and procurement experience
- Research GN Group and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values
ATS Keywords: Category management, procurement, stakeholder management, supplier negotiation, market analysis, cost savings, process improvements, business partner, global mindset, data analysis, problem-solving
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills, and be prepared to discuss their fit with GN Group's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Procurement software (e.g., SAP Ariba, Jaggaer, Coupa)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with common procurement software, data analysis tools, and project management tools will be beneficial in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empowerment
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Data-driven and analytical
- Strategic and forward-thinking
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody GN Group's values in your daily work?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment. How did you handle it?
- How do you approach data analysis and decision-making in your current role?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with GN Group's values and work style, and be prepared to discuss their alignment with the company's mission and culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing stakeholders with competing priorities and expectations
- Balancing strategic and operational responsibilities
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining productivity
- Navigating international travel and time zone differences
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss how they have overcome similar challenges in their previous roles and how they would approach these potential challenges in this position.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Category Manager or Strategic Sourcing role in other industries, but with a focus on marketing and indirect procurement
- Unlike some roles in other industries, this position requires a strong global mindset and the ability to work with international teams
- Career progression in this role could lead to senior procurement or supply chain management positions within GN Group or other organizations
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles in other industries and be prepared to discuss how their experience and skills align with the requirements of this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a category strategy for global marketing departments
- Negotiating a multi-million dollar contract with a key supplier, resulting in significant cost savings
- Implementing a demand management initiative that reduced marketing spend by 15% while maintaining brand awareness
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they would approach these sample projects in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall procurement strategy for GN Group?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the marketing departments, and how can this role help address them?
- How does GN Group support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the expected timeline for this role to make a significant impact on cost savings and process improvements?
- How does the hybrid work arrangement work in practice, and what resources are available to support remote work?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and their understanding of the company's goals and challenges.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the application link no later than April 30, 2025
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your category management and procurement experience
- Research GN Group and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Niclas Hammarling, via LinkedIn one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
