Head of Operational Procurement (M/F/D)
The Head of Operational Procurement is responsible for leading and optimising all day-to-day procurement activities to ensure reliable supply, cost efficiency, and operational excellence across the manufacturing operation. This role manages a team of five procurement professionals and works closely with production, planning, quality, and strategic procurement to support business continuity and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Procurement Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of 5 operational buyers to ensure high performance and engagement
- Oversee end-to-end operational purchasing activities, including requisition to purchase order execution
- Ensure on-time availability of direct and indirect materials in line with production requirements
Supplier & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary operational interface with key suppliers, managing delivery performance, responsiveness, and issue resolution
- Collaborate closely with production, logistics, supply chain planning, quality, and finance teams
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives by providing operational insights and data
Process & Performance Excellence
- Monitor and improve procurement KPIs such as OTIF, lead times, inventory levels, and purchase price variances
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes and system usage (e.g. ERP/MRP)
- Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, approval workflows, and audit requirements
Risk & Issue Management
- Proactively identify supply risks and implement mitigation measures to avoid production disruptions
- Manage escalations related to delivery delays, shortages, or quality issues
- Support business continuity and resilience planning from an operational procurement perspective
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field
- Proven experience in operational procurement within a manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated people management experience, ideally leading teams of 5 or more
- Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and procurement workflows
- Fluent German (spoken and written) is mandatory; strong English skills required
- Hands-on, structured, and solution-oriented leadership style
Key Competencies
- Operational excellence & execution focus
- Team leadership and stakeholder communication
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Continuous improvement mindset
FAQs
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