Category Manager (Senior) – Ports & Stevedoring in Group Procurement

Do you want to be a valued part of a leading integrated ferry and logistics provider that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you motivated by driving commercial value, building strategic partnerships, and influencing key business decisions in a complex international environment? If so, you could be the newest addition to our team.

DFDS operates a large and diverse network of ferry routes and logistics solutions, connecting markets across Europe through an extensive network of ports, terminals, and vessels. As Category Manager for Ports & Stevedoring, you will play a key role in ensuring that critical port and cargo handling services support our operational performance, customer experience, and long-term competitiveness. Location: The role is based at our headquarters in Copenhagen. For internal candidates already employed at DFDS, we are open to discussing whether the role could be performed from another DFDS location.

Be part of the movement – and play your par t

At DFDS, Procurement plays a vital role in enabling business growth, operational excellence, and long-term competitiveness. As part of an ambitious transformation journey, we are evolving Procurement into a proactive, value-creating function that works closely with the business to shape decisions and deliver measurable results.

Within Group Procurement, collaboration is fundamental to our success and to the way we operate. We partner with stakeholders across our ferry network; from the Baltic Sea and the English Channel to Türkiye, to develop category strategies, strengthen supplier relationships, and create sustainable commercial value.

As a Category Manager, you will work closely with senior leaders to translate business priorities into sourcing strategies and drive commercial value. You will lead complex negotiations across areas such as port concessions, port dues, pilotage, towage, mooring services, as well as stevedoring and cargo handling. In addition, you will provide strategic procurement guidance across a category that is critical to the success of DFDS’s ferry operations.

More specifically, your responsibilities will include

Develop and execute the Ports & Stevedoring category strategy, aligned with DFDS' business objectives

Lead sourcing projects, commercial negotiations, and contract management across the category

Build strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, acting as a trusted procurement partner across the ferry business

Identify and mitigate commercial and supply risks while ensuring business continuity

Collaborate with senior leaders across DFDS' international organization to support strategic decision-making

Drive sustainability, standardization, digitalization, and procurement best practices across the category

Contribute to the development of a best-in-class procurement function and support DFDS' transformation journey

About you

You are a commercially minded procurement professional who combines strategic thinking with strong stakeholder management skills. You are comfortable challenging established ways of working, influencing senior decision-makers, and driving initiatives through to successful outcomes.

We are looking for someone who

Have a proven track record of influencing and constructively challenging senior stakeholders in complex or high-pressure environments

Excel at stakeholder management and alignment, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and drive decisions forward

Bring strong negotiation and commercial leadership capabilities, with experience leading high-value negotiations

Demonstrate ownership and drive to ensure that initiatives move forward and deliver strong results despite organizational complexity

Thrive in cross-functional, international environments and build strong relationships across cultures and functions

Communicate fluently in English and are comfortable working with senior stakeholders across the organization

Working at DFDS

Join the movement and grow with us

We promote a great workplace with a diverse and vibrant community. Our award-winning headquarter in Copenhagen offers a modern workspace with ocean views and easy access to public transport.

Beyond the day-to-day work, DFDS has a strong social and community culture, including employee sports clubs, choir, and other shared activities — as well as on-site facilities that make it easy to connect with colleagues across teams.

At DFDS, we want you to develop and move yourself on. We believe development happens primarily through meaningful work and responsibility, supported where relevant by targeted training and learning opportunities.

Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply now.

If you believe your experience, mindset, and motivation align with this role, we would be happy to hear from you. Please submit your CV at your earliest convenience, as we review applications on an ongoing basis.

If you have any questions, you would like clarified, feel free to reach out to Peter Simonsen, Head of Direct Procurement at pesim@dfds.com .

Please note that due to the summer holiday period, there might be a delay in response time, but rest assured that we will get back to you as soon as possible.