German Speaking Strategic Buyer

Ignite; Villingen-Schwenningen; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

30 days paid vacation

Christmas and annual bonuses

Company pension plan

JobRad bicycle leasing

On-site canteen & free beverages

Job summary

Ignite in Villingen-Schwenningen is seeking a Strategic Buyer (m/f/d) to define and implement commodity group and supplier strategies on an international scale.

You will lead negotiations for drawing-bound components, manage supplier risk, drive value analyses, and secure long-term supply chain efficiency across the global industrial fastening and engineering solutions leader.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen or related field.
• At least 3 years in international strategic procurement focusing on technical components.
• Technical background in steel/metalworking/mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Define, execute, and refine commodity group, sourcing, and supplier strategies.
• Proactively manage supply chain risks to ensure material availability.
• Lead national and international price, contract, and framework negotiations for drawing-bound components.
• Draft and manage Quality Assurance Agreements and support supplier issue resolution.
• Conduct value analyses to identify cost-reduction opportunities and drive process improvements.
• Evaluate and benchmark global supplier portfolios for long-term partnerships.

Skills

Strategic procurement

International sourcing

Negotiation

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen

Tools

SAP S/4HANA MM

SAP S/4HANA EWM

MS Office

Job description

Location: Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany – Hybrid

Department: Strategic Procurement

Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent (Unbefristet)

Compensation: €50,000 – €88,000 / year + Christmas and annual performance bonuses

About the Role

Are you an experienced procurement professional with a strong technical mindset and a background in sourcing complex components? We are looking for a proactive and assertive Strategic Buyer (m/f/d) to join our central headquarters team in Villingen-Schwenningen.

In this strategic, high-impact role, you will take ownership of defining and implementing commodity group and supplier strategies on an international scale. Working with global suppliers and cross-functional teams, you will manage complex drawing-based and tool-specific assemblies, lead contract negotiations, drive value analyses, and secure long-term supply chain efficiency for an established global leader in industrial fastening and engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Category & Supplier Strategy: Define, execute, and continuously refine commodity group, sourcing, and supplier strategies in close alignment with department leadership.
• Risk & Supply Chain Management: Proactively manage supply chain risks to ensure continuous material availability for assigned technical product categories.
• Negotiation & Contracting: Prepare, lead, and execute national and international price, contract, and framework agreement negotiations for drawing-bound and tooling-specific components.
• Quality & Supplier Development: Draft and manage Quality Assurance Agreements (QSVs) and support adjacent departments in resolving complex supplier claims and quality issues.
• Cost Optimization & Value Analysis: Conduct structured value analyses to identify cost-reduction opportunities and lead continuous process improvements in collaboration with international suppliers and internal technical teams.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Evaluate, develop, and benchmark global supplier portfolios to foster reliable, long-term partnerships.

Your Profile

Must-Haves:

• Education & Qualification: Successfully completed Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), or a related discipline with a strong technical affinity.
• Professional Experience: At least 3 years of hands-on experience in international strategic procurement, with a strong focus on technical, drawing-based, and approval-relevant components (e.g., stamped, bent, and welded assemblies).
• Industry Know-How: Technical background in the steel industry, metalworking, mechanical engineering, or similar technical sectors.
• Systems Expertise: Solid practical proficiency in SAP S/4HANA (specifically MM and EWM modules) and MS Office.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent English (C1 level minimum) with excellent negotiation skills in an international context. German skills are a strong plus.
• Mobility: Willingness to undertake occasional international travel (approx. 10–15%).

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience in SAP S/4HANA implementation, migration, or process optimization projects.
• Ability to read complex technical drawings and perform detailed cost/value engineering analyses.
• Familiarity with the fastener, piping, or plant construction industries.

Personality & Work Style:

• Entrepreneurial mindset combined with high assertiveness, negotiation toughness, and commercial acumen.
• Structured, proactive, and independent approach to problem-solving.
• Strong communication skills, team spirit, reliability, and intercultural competence.

What We Offer

• Attractive Financial Package:
  • Annual base salary range of €50,000 – €88,000 gross, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • Additional Christmas bonus (0.5x monthly salary) and annual bonus (approx. 0.5x monthly salary).
  • Capital-forming benefits (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen) and company pension scheme (betriebliche Altersvorsorge).
• Work-Life Balance & Flexibility:
  • Hybrid Work Model: 2 home-office days per week.
  • 30 days of paid vacation per year.
  • Flexible working hours to accommodate your schedule.
• Professional Growth & Training:
  • Structured career development paths and comprehensive training budgets (internal/external seminars, LinkedIn Learning, and language courses).
• Modern Amenities & Perks:
  • On-site company canteen and free beverages.
  • Bicycle leasing scheme (JobRad) along with health and fitness benefits.
  • A collaborative culture with flat hierarchies, quick decision-making, and open communication.

Working Conditions & Travel

• Travel Requirements: Low to moderate (10–15% international travel for supplier visits and audits).