Manager - Product Procurement (m/f/d) in Kirchheim unter Teck

Company: cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG

Everyone's talking about sustainable energy - we're getting it on track.

We are a company with probably the most experienced employees in our technology field in the world. As a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group AB, we are responsible for all activities along the entire value chain for fuel cell systems: from research and development to production and marketing for use in trucks and other applications outside vehicles. The goal is to establish cellcentric as a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells, contributing to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation.

Our Department

Fuel cell technology is currently transitioning from the development phase into series production. Product Procurement plays a critical role in ensuring the success of this transformation by securing the supply of innovative materials, components, and development services. In this key position, you will actively shape and develop a robust supply chain for our hydrogen technologies.

As Head of Product Procurement, you will be responsible for an annual spend volume of approximately €50 million, with further growth expected. Together with your team, you will develop and manage international supplier relationships across Europe and Asia, particularly Japan, and make a significant contribution to the successful industrialization of our fuel cell systems.

Key Responsibilities

• You lead and develop a team of 10 to 12 strategic and operational buyers, providing both disciplinary and functional leadership;
• You hold end-to-end responsibility for the procurement of stack materials, balance-of-plant components, and engineering and development services, with a current annual spend responsibility of approximately €50 million;
• You develop and implement international category, supplier, and sourcing strategies, including make-or-buy, dual-/multi-sourcing, and localization concepts;
• You manage an international supplier portfolio consisting of automotive suppliers and chemical industry partners while building long-term strategic partnerships;
• You are responsible for complex contract and commercial negotiations, including long-term agreements, development contracts, tooling agreements, and raw material pricing mechanisms;
• You ensure supplier readiness, supply security, and successful series production ramp-up in close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing;
• You drive cost optimization, risk management, and the continuous improvement of procurement processes, digital sourcing tools, and sustainability standards.

Required Qualifications / Experience

• You have successfully completed a degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a comparable qualification;
• You have at least 7 to 8 years of experience in direct material and/or product procurement within a manufacturing environment, as well as a minimum of 3 years of leadership experience;
• You have a background in the automotive or commercial vehicle industry and hands-on experience in procurement during product development and series production phases;
• You possess strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and IATF 16949, as well as experience in sourcing technical components and engineering/development services;
• Your strengths include developing strategic sourcing concepts, conducting should-cost and cost analyses, and negotiating complex technical agreements with international suppliers;
• Our values of passion, perseverance, accountability, and trust-based collaboration are also the foundation of your approach to successful teamwork;
• You enjoy working in an international environment, ideally have experience with SAP S/4HANA, and are fluent in both German and English at a professional negotiation level.
• We offer you interesting, autonomous and varied activities with corresponding development prospects in a traditional company with a start-up mentality in one of the top future industries.
• You will receive a very attractive compensation package.
• With us, you can arrange your working hours flexibly, work remotely and work up to 20 days a year from other EU countries.
• We offer you at least 30 days of vacation per year.
• You will benefit from an attractive compensation and benefits package, including a company pension scheme, private and occupational accident insurance, and capital-forming benefits.
• We support the compatibility of work and family life through flexible working models, including parental leave and part-time opportunities.
• Our comprehensive health management supports your fitness and well-being – from bike leasing offer to voluntary health check-ups by our company doctor directly at our locations.
• Our restaurant provides you with soul food at a discounted price.
• You will be challenged - but also supported by a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• On top, we offer you exclusive leasing and purchase conditions for Mercedes-Benz cars.

Additional information:

If your heart beats for fuel cells and you are looking for exciting challenges in the field of sustainable and climate-neutral mobility, we look forward to receiving your informative application documents.

We are particularly pleased to receive applications from severely disabled persons and persons with disabilities of equal status.

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