Category Manager - European Transportation & Freight Payment (Hungary)

This role is pivotal in shaping and executing our European transportation strategy and advancing the overall transportation organization within Arconic.

The ideal candidate is innovative, analytical, process-driven, and highly collaborative, with an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. Success in this role requires thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and delivering creative, effective solutions that drive transparency, process optimization, compliance, and cost savings—all while strengthening service levels for stakeholders and customers.

Strategic Category Management

• Own transportation category spend for European locations (Kofem – Hungary, Kitts Green – UK, Hannover – Germany).
• Develop and execute Category & Sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives and market dynamics.
• Support plant transportation teams with competitive bid processes and sourcing events.
• Manage European transportation activities across all modes—Truckload, LTL, Small Parcel, Ocean, Air, Rail—and related services such as warehousing and transloading.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key and transactional suppliers to ensure performance, compliance, and cost efficiency.
• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and mitigate risk.
• Provide market-driven headwind/tailwind forecasts to inform budgeting and strategic decisions.
• Partner with U.S. Category Managers on negotiations and sourcing initiatives involving European-based suppliers.

Mode Optimization

• Collaborate with stakeholders to regularly assess transportation modes across lanes, sites, and customer routes, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance service through optimal mode and equipment selection.

Freight Payment Leadership

• Lead the Freight Payment Team in managing the accounts payable process for European freight, ensuring seamless support for internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee carrier freight bill processing to guarantee timely and accurate payment disbursement.
• Ensure compliance with contractual agreements, proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies in rates and accessorial charges.
• Analyze recurring variances to identify root causes and implement practical, timely solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement in freight audit and payment processes, strengthening internal controls to increase accuracy and reduce fraud risk.
• Maintain proactive communication with carriers to ensure timely receipt of freight bills and supporting documentation, as well as reconciliation and resolution of past-due amounts.
• Monitor workloads for data entry and audit teams to ensure consistent and efficient processing.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive process documentation and establish KPIs to track performance and ensure transparency.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Logistics.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in transportation category management.
• High-energy, proactive individual with strong problem-solving skills and ability to work across all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• International work experience and intercultural competence.
• MBA or PMP certification.
• Proven leadership in complex transportation organizations.
• Fluency in English and Hungarian.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Strategic thinker with innovative mindset.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 25% travel, primarily within Europe; some international travel required.