Position description:

Purpose

The objective of the position is the strategic sourcing of direct materials – packaging and raw materials within defined categories – to ensure an economical, transparent and demand-oriented supply for the organization.

Leadership Responsibility:

• No disciplinary or functional leadership responsibility
• Responsibility exclusively for own categories, projects and results

Scope of Responsibility:

• Development and implementation of sourcing and category strategies for packaging and raw materials
• Identification, evaluation and implementation of cost-saving potentials as well as cashflow improvement measures in line with defined targets
• Independent management of regional sourcing and savings projects as well as situational assumption of responsibility in global initiatives
• Execution of negotiations, regarding prices, contracts, delivery terms, claims and quality deviations
• Benchmarking, market and supplier analyses (including raw material markets) to drive cost optimization, supplier development and the strategic advancement of the supplier portfolio
• Planning, execution and evaluation of tenders and e-auctions
• Close collaboration with Production, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain and other functional areas
• Management and development of supplier relationships to ensure quality, reliability and continuous improvement
• Conclusion, maintenance and optimization of framework, service and supply contracts, including the maintenance of agreed pricing and commercial terms
• Support of the standardization, harmonization and continuous improvement of procurement processes
• Preparation and analysis of reports, KPIs and management information for Procurement Management
• Ensuring compliance as well as contractual and process adherence within the assigned categories
• Participation in ordering processes (review and approval)

Key Result Areas:

• Achievement of defined cost-saving targets
• Cashflow-effective measures (liquidity impact)
• Development and implementation of category strategies
• Market-competitive negotiation outcomes
• High level of contract coverage and compliance
• Improved supplier performance
• Timely delivery of services and outputs
• Contribution to standardization initiatives
• Compliance-compliant way of working

Requirements:

• Completed commercial education with relevant further training or a bachelor’s degree in business or engineering-related fields
• Fluent, negotiation-level English required, German is a plus

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in strategic raw material procurement in an industrial environment, ideally chemical, automotive or plant and mechanical engineering industries

Professional Knowledge:

• Proven experience in strategic direct material procurement
• Solid technical understanding of raw materials, chemicals, packaging and direct materials in an industrial environment
• Strong know-how in negotiations, tenders and e-auctions
• Proven delivery of cost-saving and cost optimization initiatives
• Experience working with international stakeholders and global procurement organizations
• Confident use of ERP systems (SAP MM, JDE) and MS Office, especially Excel (mandatory)
• Basic understanding of compliance, process and audit requirements in procurement

Skills & Behavior:

• Strong negotiation and assertiveness skills
• Analytical and business-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capability
• Result- and target-oriented, self-motivated, independent and structured working style
• Resilience and confident performance in demanding situations
• Professional and self-confident appearance towards internal and external partners
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in an international environment
• High level of ownership and execution strength
• Careful and compliant working style in line with governance and compliance requirements
• Strong willingness to learn and a quick grasp of new concepts

We offer:

• Attractive compensation
• Private medical health care
• Lunch card
• Holiday allowance
• Home office possibilities
• Internal referral program
• International work environment
• Creative atmosphere and great people