Category Lead - Direct Procurement
Category Lead - Direct Procurement (Mechanical, Quartz Parts, Wafers, Chemicals, Radiation Services, NPD) Location: Dortmund, Germany (Hybrid - 2 days WFH)
About the Company
Our client is a global electronics manufacturing leader with over 10,000 employees worldwide. Renowned for innovation and engineering excellence, the company delivers advanced products across industrial automation, telecom, medical devices, consumer electronics, and automotive. The Dortmund site stands out for its collaborative and friendly workplace culture.
Role Overview
As the Category Lead - Direct Procurement, you will own the strategic sourcing and supplier management of direct material categories supporting product manufacturing at the Dortmund site. This role includes alignment with a nearby site and close collaboration with engineering and global procurement functions. You will lead supplier qualification efforts and drive category performance across a diverse material portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Lead procurement for:
Radiation services (used on wafers)
Wafers
Mechanical components
Quartz parts
Chemicals
New Product Development (NPD) materials
Partner with engineering teams to support product innovation and introduction
Lead supplier qualification, evaluation, and risk mitigation activities
Collaborate with quality and global procurement teams to align standards and processes
Manage a direct materials spend portfolio of €20-30 million
Serve as primary category owner for two sites, with potential future category segmentation
Candidate Profile
Minimum 3 years of international procurement experience in direct materials
Solid understanding of engineering, manufacturing, or automotive supply chain logic
Hands-on experience with supplier qualification and risk management
Fluent in German (C1 minimum) and English
Structured, fair, and collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement
Why Join
Be part of a critical industry at the forefront of artificial intelligence and semiconductor innovation
Work in a friendly, social, and collaborative environment
Enjoy a modern workplace with amenities such as a barista café, job bike program, and regular team events
Contribute to a growing global procurement team with future international opportunities
Visa support available for qualified candidates (German fluency required)
FAQs
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