Manager - Product Procurement (m/f/d)

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.