Category Buyer (m/f/d)

TAKKT Group; Stuttgart; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TAKKT Group is seeking a motivated Category Buyer to shape category strategies and manage global supplier relationships in a hybrid work model at our Stuttgart location. The role focuses on securing supply, optimizing total cost of ownership, and driving ESG integration across sourcing activities.

You will lead complex negotiations, analyze markets, and collaborate with product management and SCM to ensure continuity and strategic value across the organization.

Qualifications

• University degree in business administration, industrial engineering or comparable qualification.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an international buying, procurement environment.
• Fluent in spend and price data.
• Proven track record in developing and executing procurement and sourcing strategies.
• Familiar with finance terms (P&L, ROI).
• Experience in matrix, collaborative environments.
• Proven negotiation and contract management skills.
• Strong should-cost & TCO modelling, supplier evaluation and risk management.
• Solid project management background.
• Business fluent English; additional languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of category sourcing strategies (single vs multiple, global vs local).
• Own cost, risk and innovation management within the category.
• Build and develop a global, competitive supplier base.
• Collaborate with Global Procurement Manager on strategies and activities.
• Undertake complex contract and price negotiations.
• Use indexes and supplier performance data to mitigate price rises.
• Manage supplier scorecards/KPIs.
• Set up RFQs, tenders and awards.
• Analyze sourcing markets, trends, technologies and geopolitical risks.
• Incorporate ESG/sustainability into sourcing criteria.
• Partner with Product Management and SCM as a business partner.

Skills

Category sourcing

Cost & risk management

Negotiation

Contract management

ERP systems

eSourcing tools

SRM tools

Spend data fluency

Matrix organization

English proficiency

Education

University degree in business administration or related

Tools

ERP systems

eSourcing tools

SRM tools

Job description

We shape the future of work – shape it with us! We are TAKKT – an international, listed company with strong brands such as kaiserkraft, ratioform, BIGDUG, Gerdmans and Runelandhs. As a leading provider in B2B omnichannel commerce, we create powerful and sustainable solutions that make working life easier and better. We are looking for ambitious & motivated people who want to contribute shaping the workplaces of tomorrow. Join TAKKT Group – we are looking for a motivated person to strengthen our team as a Category Buyer to shape new worlds of work! The Category Buyer is responsible for the management and development of one or more category groups across the entire lifecycle. The role ensures long-term supply risk management & compliance, continuity of supply, price rise mitigation, optimal total cost of ownership (TCO) and continuous development of the global supplier & sourcing portfolio.

Where You Make An Impact

• Support the development and implementation of short-, medium- and long-term category sourcing strategies, including single versus multiple sourcing and global versus local sourcing
• Own cost, risk and innovation management within the relevant category
• Build, evaluate and continuously develop a global, competitive and resilient supplier base
• Collaborate closely with and support the Global Procurement Manager in the development and implementation of category strategies and related procurement activities
• Undertake complex contract and price negotiations
• Use raw material, commodity indexes and supplier performance facts in negotiations to mitigate price rises
• Undertake fact based supplier performance management through scorecards / KPI’s
• Set up and manage RFQs, tenders and award processes
• Analyze sourcing markets, trends, technologies and geopolitical risks
• Builds ESG / sustainability into sourcing criteria
• Cooperate closely with Product Management and SCM as a direct Business Partner

Because You Matter

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible working hours with a hybrid model require 60% office presence.
• Modern office location with ergonomic workspaces, and a collaborative atmosphere

What Makes You Be The Perfect Fit

• University degree in business administration, industrial engineering or comparable qualification
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an international buying, procurement environment. Retail buying or manufacturing experience is a distinct advantage.
• Highly confident personal style and fluent in spend and price data
• Proven track record in developing and executing procurement and sourcing strategies
• Understands finance terminology, eg P&L, ROI etc
• Familiar with working in matrix structured, collaborative environments
• Proven negotiation and contract management skills
• Strong experience in should-cost & TCO modelling, supplier evaluation and risk management
• Solid project management background
• Business fluent English; additional languages are an advantage
• Confident user of ERP systems and eSourcing tools
• Knowledge of SRM Tool usage an advantage