Category Lead / Cranes

Join us as a Category Lead Specialist and play a key role in shaping and delivering global commodity strategies. You will lead cross-functional teams, drive supplier performance, and unlock value across the full supply chain. This is a highly collaborative role requiring strong stakeholder management, strategic thinking, and the ability to operate in a dynamic, global environment. If you enjoy driving results and creating impact through partnerships and innovation, this opportunity is for you.

Vestas Technology & Operations > Procurement > Cranes & Installation

Vestas Global Procurement is an award-winning best in class Procurement function within the world’s leading OEM for sustainable and renewable energy solutions. We are overall responsible for all Procurement activities within Vestas, including leading global and cross-functional teams, developing and implementing commodity strategies across modules, creating and capturing end-to-end value, supplier relationship management and supplier account management, performance metrics monitoring and development.

You will join an experienced team with a high level of strategic exposure with senior leaders. You will work closely with stakeholders at all levels to understand business requirements and develop commodity strategy that aligns with the company's overall business strategy and ensures a sustainable, scalable, and high performing supply base.

You will develop and lead a cross-functional team that will enable profitable onshore wind growth, global expansion of offshore wind, and new renewable energy solutions through commodity strategy execution, supplier engagement and collaboration, and development of partnerships.

In this role, you will contribute to the development and delivery of a global portfolio of onshore and offshore wind infrastructure projects, from supply and installation only to full turnkey projects… With a scope of over 700 million annual spend, predominantly consisting of crane rental, heavy lift services, and electromechanical installation services for both onshore and offshore wind projects. The role requires strong market knowledge of crane equipment, heavy lift methodologies, supplier capabilities, asset availability, and contracting models across global markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional commodity teams for cranes and heavy lift services (onshore/offshore), developing and executing global commodity strategies aligned with business objectives and end-to-end value creation
• Build and maintain deep market intelligence on global crane suppliers, covering capacity, asset availability, pricing dynamics, equipment utilization, technology developments, and market trends
• Lead sourcing, contracting, tenders, and cost-reduction initiatives for crawler, lattice boom, mobile, and offshore cranes, as well as supported lifting solutions and heavy lift services
• Collaborate with engineering, project, global, and regional teams to evaluate lifting concepts and supplier proposals, identify value opportunities, and mitigate risks
• Execute commodity strategies to ensure a sustainable, scalable, high-performing supply base with the capacity and capabilities to meet current and future business needs
• Drive advanced supplier relationship management, unlocking value chain optimization, supplier innovation, collaborative partnerships, and all available cost-out levers
• Build and manage strong internal and external stakeholder relationships at all levels, ensuring effective strategy development, alignment, and execution

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in global procurement, category management, and commodity management, ideally within complex international organizations
• Strong experience in offshore wind, heavy lifting, crane operations, marine construction, oil & gas, EPC, or large infrastructure projects
• Proven track record managing procurement and commercial activities for cranes, heavy lift services, offshore installation, marine operations, and/or EPC projects
• Solid technical understanding of crane types, lifting methodologies, installation sequences, and heavy lift execution strategies in onshore and offshore environments
• Established industry network and experience working with crane rental providers, heavy lift contractors, installation contractors, and key suppliers
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex service agreements, framework agreements, and project contracts, supported by strong analytical, communication, influence, and negotiation skills
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management capabilities across global, regional, and cross-functional teams, supported by a relevant master’s degree (e.g., Business, Engineering, Economics, or Finance)

Competencies

• Strong commercial and technical expertise in crane operations, lifting studies, heavy lift planning, installation methodologies, and project execution
• Ability to assess supplier capabilities, asset suitability, and execution risks for complex lifting and installation projects
• Extensive experience negotiating high-value contracts for crane assets, installation services, and project-based execution models
• Proven cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to coach colleagues, build alignment, and foster a collaborative culture
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategies within complex matrix organizations
• Strong project management, stakeholder management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with an end-to-end value chain mindset and the ability to lead complex optimization and tender initiatives
• Results-oriented, adaptable, and effective in building strong internal and external business relationships in dynamic, fast-changing environments

What we offer

We offer an exciting position with great development opportunities in an inspiring environment at the world's number one wind turbine producer. We value initiative, responsibility, and accuracy. You will become part of an international environment with a commitment to sustainability and safety and you will work among colleagues that take care of each other.

Additional information

Primary work location: Aarhus, DK.
This position requires approximately 50 days of global travel per year.
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, however, please note we do amend or withdraw our jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date. Please be advised to apply on or before 16/08/2026.
You can apply online by clicking on the “Apply Online” button at the top or bottom of this page.

Our commitment to a fair hiring.

At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV/resume. Your CV/resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.

DEIB Statement

 
At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

BEWARE – RECRUITMENT FRAUD

 
It has come to our attention that there are a number of fraudulent emails from people pretending to work for Vestas. Read more via this link, https://www.vestas.com/en/careers/our-recruitment-process

About Vestas

 
Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. 
Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 200 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field. 
With 39,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future. 
Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity. 
To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.