Procurement Manager - Fruit & Vegetable Ingredients (Hamburg, Hybrid)

We are partnering with a highly respected, fast‑growing international food ingredients company to support the recruitment of a Procurement Manager for their expanding freeze‑dried fruit portfolio. Known for its strong industry reputation, family‑owned culture, and ambitious global growth plans, this organisation plays a key strategic role in supplying premium-quality freeze‑dried products to customers across Europe and worldwide. With continued investment, new market expansion, and a rapidly scaling product portfolio, the company is entering an exciting new chapter-and is now seeking an experienced procurement professional to help drive its next phase of development.

About the Role

As Procurement Manager, you will take full ownership of procurement activities for the company's freeze‑dried fruit category, covering products such as strawberries, fruit chips, and a variety of specialised fruit ingredients. This is a strategically important position with significant influence on sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and category growth. You will manage a substantial and increasing procurement spend of €25-30M, working closely with senior leadership to ensure the company's supply chain remains robust, competitive, and capable of supporting ambitious growth targets.

A key element of the role will involve managing and developing international supplier relationships, particularly outside Europe. Much of the company's fruit procurement originates from regions such as Asia and China, requiring a proactive approach to supplier engagement, negotiation, and quality management. You will travel internationally to visit suppliers, assess production sites, evaluate market developments, and build long-term partnerships that support high-quality, cost-effective supply.

This position is ideal for someone energised by autonomy, complexity, and meaningful impact. You will operate closely with general management, contributing to strategic decision‑making and influencing the future direction of the category. Given the company's high growth trajectory and entrepreneurial environment, you will have the opportunity to design and implement improved procurement processes, elevate supplier performance, and unlock new opportunities to enhance quality, cost, and innovation within the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead global sourcing and vendor management for the freeze‑dried fruits category, including supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and ongoing performance monitoring
• Manage a €25-30M annual spend, with responsibility for cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and long‑term category strategy
• Develop strong, collaborative supplier relationships worldwide, particularly across Asia/China, ensuring consistent supply, quality, and service levels
• Conduct international supplier visits to review facilities, evaluate capabilities, resolve challenges, and explore new sourcing opportunities
• Partner closely with general management and senior leadership to shape and execute procurement strategies aligned with business objectives and growth plans
• Manage complex supply chains, ensuring compliance, sustainability, and operational efficiency across the category
• Drive continuous improvements across quality, cost, reliability, and innovation, supporting category expansion targets of >50% year‑on‑year growth
• Monitor global market trends, cost drivers, and risk factors, and translate insights into commercially sound procurement decisions
• Ensure strong internal collaboration across operations, quality, planning, and commercial teams to maintain alignment and support business performance
• Report on category performance, supplier KPIs, risks, and opportunities to senior management

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of procurement experience within the food ingredients sector, ideally in fruit, vegetables, or broader F&B categories
• Demonstrated experience sourcing from Asia/China and managing complex global supplier networks
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven ability to secure competitive commercial terms and optimise supplier performance
• Experience managing high-value procurement budgets (preferably €20M+) within fast-paced, scaling environments
• Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret market data, identify risks, and make informed strategic recommendations
• Confident communicator and presenter, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and representing the business externally
• Comfortable with international travel and working across diverse cultural environments
• A proactive, hands-on, solution-focused style well suited to an entrepreneurial, family-owned company
• Fluency in English; German is a strong advantage

What's on Offer

• Highly competitive base salary plus an annual bonus
• Hybrid working model (2 days per week from home after onboarding)
• Clear progression path toward a more senior, high-influence role
• A stable yet agile organisation with a family-owned culture
• Direct reporting line to senior leadership and high visibility across the business
• A rare chance to join during a major growth phase and make a visible, long-lasting impact