International Market Director - Cables & Cable Management F/M

Sonepar is a leader on the Swiss electrical wholesale market. Following the motto "think local – act Sonepar", we have a comprehensive presence with around 500 employees at 14 locations throughout Switzerland. We sell electrical products from national and international suppliers to customers from commerce, trade and industry. In addition, we provide comprehensive advice and project support in the areas of lighting and renewable energies.

We pursue growth in line with our sustainability strategy. That’s why we are always on the lookout for new employees with a team mindset and strong focus on customer satisfaction.

How will you shape our tomorrow?

As Director of Category Management & Vendor Relations for the Cables and Cable Management category, you will lead the strategic development, performance, and global expansion of this key product group within Sonepar. You will also serve as the account Director for selected Global Strategic Suppliers (GSS), managing high-level partnerships to drive revenue growth, service excellence, and supply chain performance.

Key Responsibilities are:

- Category management

• Lead the global Cables and Cable Management category strategy, including roadmap creation, market analysis, and business planning.
• Support pricing management, margin optimization, channel development, and promotional planning.
• Drive full product lifecycle management and portfolio optimization across countries.
• Partner with local product managers and specialists to support launches, End of life decisions, and assortment expansion including visibility of Generic cables, etc
• Monitor competitive landscape and identify trends to guide innovation and differentiation.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain teams to align demand planning, inventory control, and product availability.

- Vendor Relations – Managing the related Global Strategic suppliers

• Act as global account manager for selected international suppliers within the cables category.
• Build and manage long-term supplier relationships, from executive alignment to local execution.
• Negotiate and manage global contracts and framework agreements.
• Promote and commercialize international services to GSS partners.
• Drive alignment on strategic topics (digitalization, sustainability, omnichannel, logistics).
• Identify and onboard new strategic suppliers.
• Organize business reviews and top-level meetings between Sonepar and suppliers.
• Coordinate international campaigns, promotions, and business initiatives.
• Contribute to international supplier governance committees (e.g., ISC, IIC, e-Steercos).

- Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate the Product management team and work along a distributed team of national product/category managers.
• Act as the key point of contact between international suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Represent the voice of the customer and ensure category performance aligns with market needs.
• Support transversal strategic initiatives or special projects at the group level.

What success looks like 

Objectives

- Long-term revenue and margin growth for the product category

- Growth and share of wallet growth of his/her suppliers under scope (GSS) - Global Sell-in & Sell-Out

- Revenue increase, cash collection and cost savings achieved through contract negotiations

- Other objectives could include:

• Subscription rate to SIS services of his/her supplier(s)
• NPS of his/her supplier(s)
• Reduction in long-tail suppliers
• Number of strategic initiatives launched and booster achievements

KPIS

- Category Performance – Cables and Cable management

• Revenue and margin growth (global and regional level)
• Market share expansion
• Supply chain KPIs improvements: DIO reduction, lead time improvement, assortment enhancement

- Vendor Performance

• GSS contribution to total SIS revenue
• EBIT growth
• Cash flow and remuneration targets met per supplier
• Cost savings via contract negotiations and opex control

The experience you bring 

• A minimum of 10 years experience in category management, sourcing, or vendor relations within electrical, industrial, or distribution sectors.
• Deep expertise in cables and electrical product markets is essential.
• Proven success in managing global supplier accounts and negotiating complex contracts.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and financial acumen (P&L ownership experience preferred).
• Excellent relationship management, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); French or other languages are a plus.

Work Mode & Location

• Position located in Geneva: Hybrid after the probation period
• As the position requires extensive travel, the candidate must live in Switzerland.

Benefits that await you:

The role - Your daily activities will be interesting, stimulating and varied... No two days are alike!

The organisation - You'll be part of the Sonepar family and share the same values!

The culture - You'll be working in an international environment.

The team - Our dynamic, multidisciplinary, open-minded and talented team is eager to welcome additional skills to continue to meet the challenge.

- Reimbursement of your monthly or annual transport pass.

- Lunch card (CHF 180,- / month)

- Reimbursement Private Health insurance (Lamal) up to CHF 5000,- per year

- Employee Profit Sharing  

Recruitment Process: 

• Interview with an HR Member
• Interview with the manager
• Interview with SIS SVP
• Interview with HR SVP
• Interview with SIS President