Category Manager (m/f/d) - Agricultural Machinery

Kws-Grou; Berlin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Capital-forming benefits

30 days holidays

JobRad or Jobticket

Company pension scheme

Flexible working hours

Christmas and holiday pay

Job summary

KWS Berlin GmbH in Berlin, Germany is seeking a Category Manager for Agricultural Machinery to develop and implement a global procurement strategy. You will act as the subject matter expert for machinery categories and collaborate with international stakeholders and suppliers to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions that support growth ambitions.

The role requires strategic category management experience, strong negotiation skills, and a track record in supplier

Qualifications

• University degree or higher in a relevant field and strong procurement background.
• Experience in machinery procurement and lifecycle management.
• Experience negotiating global supplier agreements and managing strategic relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global category strategy for agricultural machinery.
• Lead S2C process including market analysis, RFx, negotiations and contract management.
• Drive TCO and SRM approaches across the category portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ESG, and internal standards.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders across BUs and functions.
• Develop partnerships with machinery manufacturers, distributors and service providers.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing projects in a complex global matrix.
• Present strategies and business cases to senior management.
• Guide tactical buyers and onboard procurement team members.
• Support process improvement and procurement digitalization.
• Lead procurement-related projects and change initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

English proficiency

Education

University degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, or comparable

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Procurement suites

Job description

Career Opportunities: Category Manager (m/f/d) - Agricultural Machinery (16848)

Requisition ID16848-Posted09/16/2026-Berlin- Fields of Work (1) -Experienced Professional-Up to 50%-Hybrid Working Within Country

Category Manager (m/f/d) - Agricultural Machinery

Field of Work:Procurement,
Location:Berlin
Legal Entity:KWS Berlin GmbH
Contract Type: Regular
Is Full Time:
Job ID: 16848

Are you ready to make a global impact?

As our new Category Manager - Agricultural Machinery (m/f/d), you will be responsible for developing and implementing a global procurement strategy while acting as the subject matter expert for agricultural machinery categories across the KWS Group.

Working in a dynamic, multicultural environment, you will collaborate with international stakeholders and strategic suppliers to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions that create long-term value and support the company’s growth ambitions

This is a permanent position to be filled full-time.

The place of work is at KWS Berlin GmbH in Berlin, Germany.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

Strategic Category Management

Develop and execute a global category strategy for agricultural machinery - including farm equipment, spare parts, maintenance services, and related operational technologies

Create spend transparency and identify opportunities for cost optimization, supplier consolidation, and value creation

Lead the complete Source-to-Contract (S2C) process, including market analysis, RFx processes, supplier negotiations, contract management, and implementation

Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) approaches across the category portfolio

Ensure compliance with legal, ESG, and internal procurement standards

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Business Units and Global Functions

Develop strategic partnerships with key machinery manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and aftermarket suppliers

Lead cross-functional sourcing projects in a complex global matrix organization

Present sourcing strategies, business cases, and procurement recommendations to senior management and executive stakeholders

Guide and support tactical buyers in sourcing activities, negotiations, spend analysis, and supplier management

Train and onboard procurement team members on category-specific knowledge and procurement tools

Contribute to process improvement initiatives and procurement digitalization

Lead procurement-related projects and change management initiatives

Profile & Skillset:

• University degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, or comparable

Several years of professional experience in strategic procurement or, category management, or sourcing

Proven experience in procurement of machinery, ideally of heavy mobile machinery

Strong understanding of machinery lifecycle management, maintenance requirements, and equipment investment processes.

Experience in negotiating complex global supply agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships.

Experience working in international and matrix organizations

Knowledge of SAP, procurement suites, supplier management tools, and MS Office

Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities

Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills

Ability to liaise with cross-departmental and cross-functional stakeholders on different managerial levels

Strong communication and presentation skills with different target groups

Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and sustainable business development

Excellent command of English; German language skills are highly desirable

Offer:

• Interesting and varied job in a diverse international environment with the opportunity to contribute innovative ideas
• As a family business, we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, vision and independence; this culture is lived in practice and ensures an open and friendly working atmosphere from day one
• Excellent work equipment and free car and bicycle parking spaces in our modern office in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg
• We create the appropriate framework conditions for you: capital-forming benefits, Christmas and holiday pay, childcare allowance, 30d holidays, flexible working hours, holiday and Christmas bonuses, company pension scheme, JobRad and/or Jobticket
• True to our motto "Make yourself grow", we support the professional and personal development of our employees
  

About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies and employs around 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries. With the tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for more than 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods and invests a significant amount in research and development.

At KWS, diversity is not just a value; it is an essential part of our success. Breeding resilient crops requires diversity; likewise, our strength comes from the diversity of our teams. Whatever your background or identity is, we invite you to join us.

Our data privacy policy for candidates is available on www.kws.com/dataprotection . Please select the country where the job you applied for is posted in and, if applicable, the specific business unit.