Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets. 

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. The Continental group sector offers its customers connected, environment-friendly, safe and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 39,000 employees in more than 40 countries and sales of some 6.4 billion euros (2024), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America."

Job Description

As a Global Category Lead, you play a key strategic role in ContiTechs global purchasing organization. You drive category strategies, manage international supplier relationships, and work closely with global stakeholders — always focused on value creation, transparency, and sustainable results.

In this role, your key responsibilities include the following focus areas:

Management

Lead and develop a global team in line with Continental’s leadership principlesSet objectives, monitor performance, and foster a motivated, high-performing teamSupport team members in complex or challenging situations

Stakeholder Partnership

Act as the interface between Purchasing, Engineering, Plants, and SuppliersTranslate business and purchasing strategies into concrete actionsTrain and support stakeholders in methods, tools, and processes

Category Management

Build and implement the global category and supplier strategyAnalyze data to identify spend, demand, and improvement opportunitiesDefine KPIs, track progress, and ensure transparent communicationEnsure alignment and satisfaction of global stakeholders

Supplier Relationship Management

Analyze global supplier markets and conduct benchmarksMaintain strategic, long-term supplier relationshipsLead annual and strategic negotiations to optimize costsEnsure compliance with BPCoC, Responsible Value Chain, and support new supplier onboarding

Sourcing to Contract

Independently conduct international negotiations with audit-proof documentationDrive make-or-buy decisions and value engineering initiativesManage escalations, claims, and strategic complaintsOversee contract lifecycle management in full compliance with internal guidelines

QualificationsAcademic degree in business administration, engineering or comparable qualificationSeveral years of professional experience in purchasing within large international companies; ideally in technical purchasing (NPM) with a proven track recordProven leadership experience and solid project management skillsConfident user of MS Office, SAP R/3, and modern sourcing toolsExcellent English skills; additional languages are an advantageAffinity for cooperation with people and intercultural competencesStrong negotiation and communication abilities with high intercultural competenceResilient, reliable, collaborative, and globally mindedWillingness to travel internationally

Applications from severely handicapped people are welcome.

Additional Information

The well-being of our employees is important to us. That's why we offer exciting career prospects and support you in achieving a good work-life balance with additional benefits such as:

Training opportunitiesMobile and flexible working modelsSabbaticals

and much more...

Sounds interesting for you? Click here to find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging are important to us and make our company strong and successful. We offer equal opportunities to everyone - regardless of age, gender, nationality, cultural background, disability, religion, ideology or sexual orientation.

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Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.