Category Expert (d/m/f) - Direct Material

ams-OSRAM International GmbH, Regensburg, Germany; Regensburg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

ams OSRAM International GmbH in Regensburg is seeking a Category Expert for Direct Materials to lead sourcing of materials, technologies, and suppliers. You will drive supplier-driven innovations and manage optical component categories for LED, laser, and photonic applications.

A strong commercial mindset and cross-functional collaboration are essential for success. The role requires 3+ years in semiconductor or high-tech, plus willingness to travel internationally and work in an innovative

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in semiconductor/electronics/high-tech industries.
• Experience in project-driven, cross-functional environments.
• Strong analytical and entrepreneurial mindset with negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing activities for materials, technologies, suppliers, and supplier-driven innovations.
• Manage material categories for optical components for LED, laser and photonic apps.
• Develop cost-saving and productivity improvements through material/spec optimization.
• Support global category and sourcing strategies and TCO evaluations.
• Conduct market, technology and supplier analyses to build supply market intelligence.

Skills

Sourcing management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering/Business

Tools

SAP

Job description

Career Opportunities: Category Expert (d/m/f) - Direct Material (24512)

Requisition ID24512-Posted10/22/2026

The ams OSRAM Group is a global leader in innovative light and sensor solutions. As a specialist in Digital Photonics, we combine technological excellence with state-of-the‑art global manufacturing capabilities to offer our customers the broadest portfolio of digital emitter and sensor technologies. Globally, our teams develop groundbreaking solutions aligned with societal megatrends like intelligent mobility, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, smart health, and robotics.

At ams OSRAM, employees are part of a highly innovative, international technology environment. Diverse teams, a high degree of ownership, and exciting challenges provide the opportunity to grow, develop, and make a real difference. Because behind our innovations are people who carry something special inside and who bring their unique strengths to work every day.

Show the world what you are made of.

Your new responsibilities

• Lead sourcing activities for new materials, technologies, suppliers, and supplier-driven innovations (e.g. optical elements for LED and Laser Assembly, optical interconnect elements for datacom applications)
• Manage material categories related to optical components for LED, laser, and photonic applications
• Drive/support the building blocks for the creation of a photonic engine ecosystem
• Act as a technical and commercial partner for R&D, Quality, and Business Line stakeholders
• Identify and implement cost-saving and productivity improvement opportunities through material and specification optimization
• Develop software-based material cost simulations using supplier, process, technology, and market data
• Manage supplier onboarding activities, including supplier qualification, contract negotiations, and contract management
• Conduct market, technology, and supplier analyses to establish and maintain deep supply market intelligence
• Support the development and implementation of global category and sourcing strategies
• Perform Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations
• Drive procurement activities within international development and business Projects

What we look for

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the semiconductor, electronics, or high-tech industry
• Strong understanding of semiconductor, LED, photonics, or datacom technologies
• Experience working in project-driven and cross-functional environments
• Commercial mindset with strong analytical and entrepreneurial thinking
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills
• Structured, independent, and solution-oriented working style
• Willingness to travel internationally
• SAP knowledge is considered an advantage