The posting
Do you want to be a valued part of a leading integrated ferry and logistics provider that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you motivated by driving commercial value, building strategic partnerships, and influencing key business decisions in a complex international environment? If so, you could be the newest addition to our team.
About the role
DFDS operates a large and diverse network of ferry routes and logistics solutions, connecting markets across Europe through an extensive network of ports, terminals, and vessels. As Category Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring that our onboard services support our operational performance, customer experience, and long-term competitiveness.
Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and drive category management within our Onboard and Travel Retail categories in Group Procurement? Would you like to play a big role in creating and driving the transformation towards sustainable solutions and be involved in complex and strategic agreements for DFDS? If so, you could be the perfect fit for our team as Category Manager.
Be part of the movement – and play your part
At DFDS, Procurement plays a vital role in enabling business growth, operational excellence, and long-term competitiveness. As part of an ambitious transformation journey, we are evolving Procurement into a proactive, value-creating function that works closely with the business to shape decisions and deliver measurable results.
Within Group Procurement, collaboration is fundamental to our success and to the way we operate. We partner with stakeholders across our ferry network; from the Baltic Sea and the English Channel down to the Mediterranean, to develop category strategies, strengthen supplier relationships, and create sustainable commercial value.
As a Category Manager, you will work closely with senior leaders to translate business priorities into sourcing strategies and drive commercial value. You will lead complex negotiations across areas such as Food & Beverage, Hospitality & Accommodation, Consumables, and Travel Retail. In addition, you will provide strategic procurement guidance across a category that is critical to the success of DFDS’s ferry operations.
More specifically, your tasks will include to:
- Develop and execute category strategy, aligned with DFDS’ business stakeholders
- Lead sourcing projects, commercial negotiations, and contract management across the category
- Identify and develop new high potential areas for involvement
- Maintain and develop relationships with senior stakeholders across the DFDS Group
- Act as a professional integrated partner to the business by engaging independently with your stakeholders
- Drive analytical insights across various categories including complex calculations for recommendations and decision-making
- Facilitate the preparation of and execute negotiations in cross-functional teams and finalize agreements with suppliers
- Facilitate meetings with strategic suppliers and drive SRM
You will hold an important position in centralizing procurement efforts, implementing and maintaining global/regional contracts and best practice with a focus on optimizing supplier performance.
The position is based at our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. To meet the expectations of the role, 10-20 travel days a year are anticipated.
The role is advertised as (Senior) Category Manager, and the final title will be determined based on the individual candidate's experience and seniority.
About you
You are a commercially minded procurement professional who combines strategic thinking with strong stakeholder management skills. You are comfortable challenging established ways of working, influencing senior decision makers, and driving initiatives through to successful outcomes.
The ideal candidate has:
- Min. 5+ years of relevant procurement experience
- Food & Beverage experience is favourable, but not required
- Business acumen, flexibility, and ability to prioritize based on high business requests and impact-evaluation
- An academic degree, e.g. within business, supply chain management or business administration
- In-depth knowledge and experience with running and executing an E2E tender process
- Knowledge of procurement tools, negotiation tactics and processes
- Project management skills, including ability to develop business plans, plan a project, drive problem solving and manage a project team
- The ability to create data driven insights, understand and scrutinize data in order to make business cases and strategic decisions
Our promise to you
As our new Category Manager, you will step into an exciting role with a great opportunity to work independently within a team. You will get the chance to shape your own category, make a meaningful impact, and develop new areas of involvement.
In addition to offering a role with plenty of influential possibilities and responsibilities, we offer a flexible working environment in an informal and international organization.
You will join our collaborative and inclusive environment where open dialogue is encouraged and where solid argumentation is valued over title. You will get a manager with a supporting and empowering leadership style who will set the direction while valuing input from you and your team members.
Working at DFDS
Join the movement and grow with us.
We promote a great workplace with a diverse and vibrant community. Our award-winning headquarter in Copenhagen offers a modern workspace with ocean views and easy access to public transport. Beyond the day-to-day work, DFDS has a strong social and community culture, including employee sports and social clubs, and other shared activities — as well as on-site facilities that make it easy to connect with colleagues across teams while also offering quiet zones for focused work.
At DFDS, we want you to develop and move yourself on. We believe development happens primarily through meaningful work and responsibility, supported where relevant by training and learning opportunities.
Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply now.
If you believe your experience, mindset, and motivation align with this role, we would be happy to hear from you. Please submit your CV at earliest convenience as we review applications on an ongoing basis.
We look forward to hearing from you!
This recruitment process is managed by the DFDS Talent Acquisition team. We kindly ask external recruitment agencies to refrain from contacting us regarding this opportunity.
