Are you a commercially driven category leader who thrives on full ownership, complex global markets, and the ambition to move both business performance and the bottom line?
If so, you might be the perfect fit as our new Global Category Manager at ABENA!
Leading a strategic shift in a global healthcare category
At ABENA, we are looking for a Global Category Manager for Protective Wear – a strategically important healthcare category with significant global potential and a clear transformation agenda. The category is looking at a decisive shift: from volume- and tender-driven business towards more value-based growth, stronger differentiation, and improved profitability.
As Global Category Manager, you will have end-to-end responsibility for the category at a global level. You act on behalf of the entire group and work closely with a highly skilled team, our sourcing setup, subsidiaries, and global suppliers to strengthen the category’s market position, performance, and long-term competitiveness.
The role is broad. It is demanding in terms of compliance and regulations, and therefore knowledge of PPE, MDR or experience from a highly regulative industry is a great advantage. This role is also a rare opportunity for someone who wants real mandate, clear targets, and the ability to see the direct impact of their work reflected in performance metrics and market position.
Your role and responsibilities
Own the global P&L and performance of the Protective Wear category, driving revenue growth, margin improvement and EBIT development
Lead the global category strategy, shifting the business from tender-driven volume to value-based growth
Drive a harmonized global assortment (Good–Better–Best), including integration of local portfolios into a scalable global setup
Define and execute sourcing and supplier strategies, including dual sourcing, production relocation and supply chain risk reduction
Act as the global commercial owner, supporting subsidiaries with tenders, pricing, assortment decisions and product positioning
Lead and develop a cross-functional global team, creating alignment and momentum across markets and stakeholders
We imagine that you:
Have solid experience in global category management, sourcing or product ownership within a complex international organization
Are commercially strong and motivated by ownership, performance improvement and measurable results
Bring strategic perspective combined with hands‑on execution power
Are motivated by leading and developing a team, bringing out the team’s strengths, and developing future strengths.
Are confident in negotiations and an energetic leader, able to influence without relying on formal authority
Have experience navigating compliance and regulatory frameworks in professional or healthcare‑related markets
Communicate clearly and professionally in English (Danish is an advantage, not a requirement)
Your Team, Our Culture and Values
At ABENA, you join a global company with a strong purpose: to make a real difference in the everyday lives of people around the world. We combine professionalism with a warm, people-first culture where collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement are necessary parts of everyday life. We take pride in delivering high-quality work with integrity, guided by our core values of trust, fairness, and cooperation. These values shape how we lead, support one another, and create meaningful impact for our customers and communities.
You will lead a team of skilled specialists who work closely together and create strong synergy. The team is characterized by high professionalism, openness, and a positive, collaborative culture. Here, knowledge is shared, and everyone supports each other to achieve common goals. As leader, you will further develop a well-functioning team and set the direction for continued growth and success.
Your leader at ABENA will be COO Claus Damgaard Johansen, who describes his leadership style as follows:
“I believe in an open and result-oriented dialogue, and I appreciate and respect the knowledge you bring to the table. Openness and trust are key values for me, as I delegate and trust that the freedom to choose the best approach is best governed by you – micromanagement is the last thing you should expect! You can expect that I strive to achieve transparency, straightforwardness and a genuine relation – no façade”
Your workplace will be located at the ABENA Headquarter in Aabenraa, Denmark.
We look forward to receiving your application
If you are interested in the position, please send your CV as soon as possible. We review applications on an ongoing basis and will close the search once we have found our new colleague.
Read more about ABENAs recruitment process here
If you are curious to know more about the job, you are welcome to contact COO Claus Damgaard on phone +45 5158 1748.
Om ABENA
Hos ABENA gør dit arbejde en forskel. Hver dag skaber vi løsninger, der forbedrer livskvaliteten for mennesker og samfund. Med mere end 2.000 kolleger, der betjener kunder i over 90 markeder inden for sundhedssektoren, industrien og detailhandlen, er vi forenet af et fælles engagement for medansvar og omsorg.
Som en familieejet virksomhed med en stærk global tilstedeværelse er vi bygget på tillid, retfærdighed og samarbejde – værdier, der guider os i, hvordan vi støtter hinanden og vokser sammen. Hos os finder du plads til at udfolde dit potentiale, udvikle nye kompetencer og gøre en meningsfuld forskel.
Bliv en del af os – og skab en karriere, der virkelig gør en forskel.
BECAUSE WE CARE
Du kan læse mere om os på www.abena.dk
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Aabenraa Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
ABENA A/S, Egelund, 6200 Aabenraa
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 17-05-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/8ebe8f32-6832-4c3b-bc17-718c49a733de
