Manager - Product Procurement (m/f/d)

cellcentric GmbH & Co; Kirchheim unter Teck; Remote; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mercedes-Benz car leasing

Company pension scheme

Private health insurance

30 days vacation

Bike leasing

Health check-ups

Job summary

cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG is seeking a Head of Product Procurement to shape and lead a robust supply chain for hydrogen technologies. You will manage a team of 10–12 buyers and own end-to-end procurement for stack materials, BOM components, and development services.

Based in Germany, you will develop international supplier strategies across Europe and Asia, negotiate long-term agreements, ensure supply readiness for ramp-up, and drive cost optimization with sustainability at the core.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or comparable qualification.
• At least 7–8 years in direct material/product procurement in manufacturing; minimum 3 years in leadership.
• Automotive/commercial vehicle industry background; experience in product development and series production procurement.
• Strong knowledge of APQP/PPAP and IATF 16949; experience in sourcing technical components and engineering services.
• Ability to develop strategic sourcing concepts, perform should-cost/cost analyses, and negotiate complex international agreements.
• Fluency in German and English for professional negotiations; SAP S/4HANA experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 10–12 strategic and operational buyers.
• End-to-end responsibility for procurement of stack materials, BOM components, and engineering services (~€50 million spend).
• Develop and implement international category, supplier, and sourcing strategies (make-or-buy, dual/multi-sourcing, localization).
• Manage an international supplier portfolio with automotive and chemical industry partners.
• Negotiate long-term agreements, tooling and development contracts; manage pricing mechanisms.
• Ensure supplier readiness, supply security, and ramp-up in collaboration with Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing.
• Drive cost optimization, risk management, and sustainability in procurement processes and tools.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

International collaboration

German & English language

Education

Engineering / Industrial Engineering / Business or similar degree

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Company: cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG

Everyone's talking about sustainable energy - we're getting it on track.

We are a company with probably the most experienced employees in our technology field in the world. As a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group AB, we are responsible for all activities along the entire value chain for fuel cell systems: from research and development to production and marketing for use in trucks and other applications outside vehicles. The goal is to establish cellcentric as a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells, contributing to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation.

Our Department

Fuel cell technology is currently transitioning from the development phase into series production. Product Procurement plays a critical role in ensuring the success of this transformation by securing the supply of innovative materials, components, and development services. In this key position, you will actively shape and develop a robust supply chain for our hydrogen technologies.

As Head of Product Procurement, you will be responsible for an annual spend volume of approximately €50 million, with further growth expected. Together with your team, you will develop and manage international supplier relationships across Europe and Asia, particularly Japan, and make a significant contribution to the successful industrialization of our fuel cell systems.

Key Responsibilities

• You lead and develop a team of 10 to 12 strategic and operational buyers, providing both disciplinary and functional leadership;
• You hold end-to-end responsibility for the procurement of stack materials, balance-of-plant components, and engineering and development services, with a current annual spend responsibility of approximately €50 million;
• You develop and implement international category, supplier, and sourcing strategies, including make-or-buy, dual-/multi-sourcing, and localization concepts;
• You manage an international supplier portfolio consisting of automotive suppliers and chemical industry partners while building long-term strategic partnerships;
• You are responsible for complex contract and commercial negotiations, including long-term agreements, development contracts, tooling agreements, and raw material pricing mechanisms;
• You ensure supplier readiness, supply security, and successful series production ramp-up in close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing;
• You drive cost optimization, risk management, and the continuous improvement of procurement processes, digital sourcing tools, and sustainability standards.

Required Qualifications / Experience

• You have successfully completed a degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a comparable qualification;
• You have at least 7 to 8 years of experience in direct material and/or product procurement within a manufacturing environment, as well as a minimum of 3 years of leadership experience;
• You have a background in the automotive or commercial vehicle industry and hands-on experience in procurement during product development and series production phases;
• You possess strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and IATF 16949, as well as experience in sourcing technical components and engineering/development services;
• Your strengths include developing strategic sourcing concepts, conducting should-cost and cost analyses, and negotiating complex technical agreements with international suppliers;
• Our values of passion, perseverance, accountability, and trust-based collaboration are also the foundation of your approach to successful teamwork;
• You enjoy working in an international environment, ideally have experience with SAP S/4HANA, and are fluent in both German and English at a professional negotiation level.
• We offer you interesting, autonomous and varied activities with corresponding development prospects in a traditional company with a start-up mentality in one of the top future industries.
• You will receive a very attractive compensation package.
• With us, you can arrange your working hours flexibly, work remotely and work up to 20 days a year from other EU countries.
• We offer you at least 30 days of vacation per year.
• You will benefit from an attractive compensation and benefits package, including a company pension scheme, private and occupational accident insurance, and capital-forming benefits.
• We support the compatibility of work and family life through flexible working models, including parental leave and part-time opportunities.
• Our comprehensive health management supports your fitness and well-being – from bike leasing offer to voluntary health check-ups by our company doctor directly at our locations.
• Our restaurant provides you with soul food at a discounted price.
• You will be challenged - but also supported by a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• On top, we offer you exclusive leasing and purchase conditions for Mercedes-Benz cars.

Additional information:

If your heart beats for fuel cells and you are looking for exciting challenges in the field of sustainable and climate-neutral mobility, we look forward to receiving your informative application documents.

We are particularly pleased to receive applications from severely disabled persons and persons with disabilities of equal status.