Strategic Buyer – Category Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Germany.

📋 Description

• Consolidation of purchasing volumes across the organization to achieve economies of scale.

• Development of comprehensive supplier strategies and framework agreements to lower costs and enhance delivery reliability.

• Ensuring transparency around purchasing KPIs and processes to facilitate group oversight.

• Oversight of designated strategic product categories (Category Management).

• Identifying and capitalizing on bundling opportunities among sister companies.

• Negotiating prices, terms, and group-wide framework agreements with suppliers.

• Ongoing monitoring of pertinent supplier markets and formulation of recommended actions.

• Engaging in technical cost engineering: conducting should-cost analyses and implementing Design-to-Cost methods to minimize expenses.

• Establishing uniform procurement standards, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms for the group.

• Collaborating closely with operational purchasing managers, as well as project management, engineering, and production divisions of the individual companies.

• Serving as a strategic partner for executive management and purchasing leads across the companies on procurement-related decisions.

⛳️ Requirements

• Completion of commercial or technical vocational training, ideally with further qualifications in purchasing, or a degree in industrial engineering, business administration, supply chain management, or a related discipline.

• Several years of experience in technical or strategic purchasing, preferably within electrical engineering, switchgear, automation, or plant engineering sectors.

• Experience in establishing or overseeing cross-company or multi-site purchasing frameworks is a plus.

• Strong technical knowledge of relevant categories (e.g., component functionality, lead time significance for transformers).

• Proficient in using ERP systems, AI, and Excel.

• Excellent command of the German language; proficiency in English for supplier communications.

• Strategic mindset paired with a proactive approach.

• Strong negotiation abilities and an aptitude for understanding people.

• Excellent communication skills and persuasive capabilities in discussions.

• Collaborative approach to teamwork.

• Open and constructive attitude towards mistakes and challenges.

• Self-reliant, organized working style with high intrinsic motivation.

🏝️ Benefits

• A secure position within a financially robust and forward-thinking corporate group.

• A significant role with a high level of autonomy and opportunities for influence.

• Performance-related compensation along with employer contributions to capital-forming savings plans.

• An appealing bonus structure.

• Company pension plan available through salary conversion at favorable rates.

• A modern working environment equipped with cutting-edge technology.

• A variety of training options and growth opportunities.

• Option for bike leasing as part of a bike-to-work initiative.

• A supportive and collegial work atmosphere.