Procurement Manager (Freelance or Permanent Employee)

About The Cotton Group

The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.

The Cotton Group SA/NV is the powerhouse behind some of Europe's most trusted names in blank apparel and textile distribution, including B&C and Falk&Ross. On paper, we are a holding company. In practice, we are a team fully invested in growth and transformation. Our mission is to build an international textile ecosystem that spans supply chain, sustainability, digital infrastructure and innovation. Each of our companies thrives independently while drawing strength from the collective, for an industry that empowers brands and their partners to succeed.

With a strong international network, modern logistics, and a dedicated team, we are shaping the future of the textile industry.

Your Mission

The Procurement Manager is responsible for ensuring the optimal balance between service to customer, inventory investment, product availability, and supply chain efficiency across the Cotton Group.

The role leads the planning, purchasing and procurement functions, drives the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, and is accountable for inventory management and performance.

A key mission of the position is to establish best-in-class planning processes supported by modern planning tools and data-driven decision making. The role will lead the implementation and continuous development of the SLIM4 planning platform across B&C and F&R and ensure that future business initiatives are incorporated into an integrated planning environment.

The position acts as the central link between Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, and Senior Management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Inventory Management & Working Capital

• Own inventory performance across B&C and F&R.
• Develop and execute inventory strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Optimize stock levels while maintaining agreed service levels.
• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory.
• Improve inventory turns and working capital efficiency.
• Monitor inventory health through appropriate KPIs and reporting.
• Lead actions to improve stock availability and reduce shortages.
• Ensure inventory decisions are supported by data and business intelligence.

2. Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Establish, lead, and continuously improve the B&C and F&R S&OP process.
• Ensure participation and accountability from all relevant stakeholders.
• Create and improve a structured monthly S&OP cycle covering:

o Demand Review

o Supply Review

o Inventory Review

o Financial Review

o Executive S&OP

• Challenge demand assumptions and improve forecast quality.
• Translate commercial plans into actionable supply plans.
• Ensure business decisions are reflected in procurement and inventory strategies.
• Drive alignment on demand/supply/inventory between Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Develop clear performance reporting and management dashboards.

3. Planning Systems & Digital Transformation

• Lead the implementation and further development of SLIM4 throughout the Cotton Group.
• Complete the re-implementation of SLIM4 within Falk & Ross.
• Lead the implementation of SLIM4 within B&C Collection.
• Ensure planning systems support inventory optimization, forecasting, purchasing, and supply planning.
• Translate business requirements into system improvements and development priorities.
• Ensure future projects, product launches, sourcing initiatives, and business changes are incorporated into planning processes and tools.
• Drive data quality and planning discipline throughout the organization.
• Promote advanced planning capabilities and best practices.

4. Procurement & Supply Planning Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction to the purchasing and planning teams.
• Ensure purchasing strategies support business and inventory objectives.
• Support supplier performance management.
• Ensure effective coordination between planning, procurement, logistics, and warehousing.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve forecasting accuracy, inventory productivity, and planning efficiency.
• Implement best practices in demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, and procurement.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects.
• Drive a culture of accountability, data-driven decision making, and operational excellence.

Key Performance Indicators

The role will be measured on:

- Inventory KPI's:

• Service level / product availability
• Excess and obsolete inventory
• Working capital performance
• Inventory turns and inventory value
• Forecast accuracy

- Other KPI's:

• S&OP process adherence and effectiveness
• Procurement plan execution
• Supplier service performance
• SLIM4 implementation milestones and benefits realization

Profile

Education & Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in supply chain planning, procurement, inventory management, or related leadership roles.
• Fluency in English (min. C1); additional languages are a strong asset.
• Proven experience leading S&OP processes.
• Strong background in inventory optimization and working capital management.
• Experience implementing planning systems and supply chain technology solutions.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and driving organizational change.
• Strong analytical and business acumen.

Preferred Qualifications

• University degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Experience within wholesale, distribution, retail, apparel, textiles, or FMCG environments.
• Experience with planning tools such as SLIM4, SAP IBP, Anaplan, or equivalent solutions.
• APICS / ASCM certification is a strong advantage.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Cross-functional leadership
• Change management
• Results orientation
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Data-driven decision making
• Project leadership
• Continuous improvement mindset

Success Definition

Success in this role means creating a planning-driven organization where inventory decisions, procurement activities, and supply chain investments are aligned through a robust S&OP process, supported by effective planning systems, resulting in improved service to customers, lower inventory risk, better product availability, stronger working capital performance, and scalable growth for the Cotton Group.

What We Offer

• A strategic role within a leading European distributor of promotional textiles.
• The opportunity to shape and optimize a large and diverse product portfolio.
• A dynamic, international, and competitive environment.
• Collaboration with motivated teams across multiple departments and markets. xqknzec
• Career growth and development opportunities within The Cotton Group.

To support our international hiring process, we kindly ask you to apply with an English CV.