Senior Commodity Buyer

The Customer Options portfolio includes components used throughout material handling trucks, with a particular focus on driver cabins and their components, such as windscreens and seats, as well as lifting equipment, including masts, mast components and accessories.

We offer:

• A responsible and independent purchasing role within an international company.
• The opportunity to work as part of a European purchasing team with colleagues based at several European locations.
• Close cooperation with your manager based in Germany.
• Collaboration with an interdisciplinary local Customer Options team comprising Sales, Logistics, Production, Quality and R&D.
• Responsibility for a diverse portfolio of components, assemblies and technical solutions.
• The opportunity to contribute to supplier development, category strategies and continuous improvement initiatives.
• An international working environment with regular communication across departments, locations and countries.

Tasks and Qualifications:

Tasks

• Independently manage the operational purchasing of Customer Options components, assemblies and solutions.
• Conduct supplier market analyses and manage requests for quotation in accordance with technical specifications.
• Prepare supplier selection and awarding decisions.
• Place purchase orders and issue delivery schedules.
• Set delivery dates based on sales requirements and follow up on outstanding deliveries.
• Ensure that order confirmations are received and that components are delivered on time.
• Take corrective action in the event of delivery delays or other deviations.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers regarding delivery conditions, quality and pricing.
• Support initiatives focused on regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
• Manage and develop the supplier base in cooperation with the Head of Customer Options and the Head of Site Procurement.
• Support the implementation of category strategies to achieve targets relating to delivery, quality, cost and innovation.
• Act as the interface between suppliers and the Engineering and Quality departments in the event of technical questions or discussions.
• Monitor and influence purchasing performance in accordance with procurement KPIs, local requirements and internal rules.
• Manage supply-related crisis situations.
• Respond to unforeseen supply failures and cooperate with suppliers and internal departments, including Logistics, Quality, R&D and Industrial Engineering, to develop solutions and prevent production line stoppages.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or comparable qualification in Engineering, Business Administration or a related field.
• Professional experience in purchasing, ideally as a Commodity Buyer within the material handling, construction, agricultural machinery, automotive Tier 1 or another similarly demanding industrial environment.
• The ability to think strategically while making effective operational decisions.
• A very good understanding of manufacturing processes and industrial quality standards.
• The ability to read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• A results-oriented approach and the ability to manage projects independently and successfully.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• A team-oriented mindset and the ability to cooperate effectively within local and international purchasing teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of SAP R/3 or SAP S/4HANA is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel within Europe.
• Good command of English is essential.
• Knowledge of an additional language, particularly German, is an advantage.