Category Purchaser

1. Derive strategy and actions for managed categories based on internal stakeholder, business needs and market situation.

2. Develop a material and supplier strategy.

▪ Conduct market / internal demand analysis and benchmarks
▪ Drive the strategy definition process with cross-functional partners
▪ Ensure that Continentals requirements are reflected in the strategy
▪ Document and implement the strategy in all BAs/locations worldwide

3. Conduct regular supplier evaluation with main stakeholders.

4. Guide, support and train internal stakeholders to execute by using right tools, methods and processes.
5. Ensure the alignment and implementation of the category strategy within the organization (e.g., communicate sourcing market trends, category results) .

6. Ensure that suppliers to fulfill the legal requirements by applying processes, tools and templates.
7. Support escalations at internal and external stakeholder.

8. Actively influence the sourcing process through: 
▪ Supply market analysis / supplier selection
▪ Negotiation of prices and closure of contracts
▪ Sourcing decision
9. Identify and lift bundling opportunities for own category.

10. Drive annual negotiations to constantly improve the cost situation. 

11. Ensure fulfillment of all necessary requirements by negotiating and concluding legally binding contracts (e.g. frame-, project related contracts, YPSA) with the respective suppliers, process & audit-compliant documentation.
12. Ensure effective contract lifecycle management. 

13. Ensure in time implementation of correct data in the respective IT-systems. Monthly controlling and correction of local data and target achievement.
14. Initiate and support value-engineering, re-design and cost reduction programs, make or buy decisions and content challenge.
15. Initiate and drive together with the internal stakeholders supplier improvement programs if needed (performance, costs), initiate the new supplier introduction process.

16. Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain and procurement risks with respect to geopolitical, geohazard and material risks .
17. Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies together with the involved stakeholders.
18. Ensure supply chain compliance with sustainability regulations, legal requirements and sustainability standards.

1. Management skills, tools and techniques which ensures a strategic, profit and resulted oriented handling (Balanced Scorecard, Benchmarking, etc.)

2. Human relations skills (team skills, conflict management, open-mindedness, networking)

3. Communication skills, including Presentation and Negotiation techniques to operate in different cultures

4. Problem solving and decision making tools and techniques

5. Project management skills

6 .Process and Product Life Cycle (PLC) knowledge

7. Purchasing Management (including standards of Quality system requirements, policies and norms (IATF 19649/ VDA 6.1)

8. Risk Management skills

9 Technical understanding of specific components Commercial knowledge, includes contract law etc.

10. Knowledge of supplier market in respective area of responsibility

11. Appropriate level of language skills to deal with internal and external stakeholders

12. ERP system (SAP) for order management

13. University degree in Economics/Technical studies or relevant professional experience

14. >1 years of relevant experience

15. Capability to negotiate and operate with different cultures

16. Experience in working with international teams on purchasing issues

17. Understanding for different foreign cultures (NAFTA, Asia, several European cultures)

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