Regional Category Buyer

Continental Industry; San Luis Potosí; On-site; MXN 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Continental Industry in Mexico is seeking a Regional Category Buyer to define and execute regional sourcing strategies, drive cost optimization and secure supplier performance. You will collaborate with global teams, manage local supplier portfolios and lead regional RFQs.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years in Purchasing, strong communication, cross-cultural experience and the ability to work independently to achieve targets in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or higher or adequate long-term professional experience.
• 3-5 years of professional purchasing experience.
• Experience in international environments and cross-cultural teams.
• Excellent communication and teamwork.
• Project management experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Defines regional sourcing strategy and aligns with global governance.
• Manages regional supplier base and onboarding.
• Executes regional RFQs and supports project procurement.
• Negotiates contracts within defined supplier base.
• Ensures compliance with processes, tools and regulatory requirements.
• Drives regional cost savings and continuous improvement.
• Monitors regional supply risks and escalations.
• Interfaces with plants, operations and other regional stakeholders.
• Provides regional feedback and supports implementation of global decisions.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team player

Initiative & independence

Intercultural experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading material experts for industry applications. The Continental group sector offers its customers reliable, safe and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 20,000 employees (Status as of March 2026) at more than 60 sites globally, and sales of some 6.0 billion euros (2025), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America.

Job Description

Regional Category Buyer

Regional Category Buyer is responsible for defining and executing sourcing strategies for a specific category in specific regions, aiming to optimize cost, ensure supply reliability, and create value. The role focuses on supplier management, negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration while monitoring market trends and risks to support business objectives.

This level manages regional sourcing activities and supplier portfolios within assigned categories, delivering cost optimization, supplier performance and risk mitigation through execution of category strategies, while ensuring alignment with business objectives, governance standards and continuous improvement initiatives

Main Tasks

Purchasing Strategy & Governance

• Adapts and executes global strategy within the region / define regional measures to execute global strategy
• Ensures compliance with global governance while considering local market dynamics
• Provides regional input into strategy development

Category / Material & Supplier Portfolio Management

• Manages regional supplier base
• Support onboarding of suppliers aligned with global team
• Feeds market intelligence & supplier performance data back to global
• Leads supplier selection at regional level (if no global definition existing)

Sourcing & Project Procurement & Project Management

• Executes regional sourcing events / RFQs
• Supports project based procurement events (on plant or program level)
• Ensures on-time delivery for regional projects is escalated by SCM
• Manage shortages

Negotiation & Contract Management

• Executes local negotiations within defined supplier base
• Defines contract frameworks, T&Cs, and pricing models for defined supplier base, region or category
• Ensures adherence to global agreements

Processes, Systems & Compliance

• Makes sure usage of defined process standards, tools, and system landscape
• Ensures compliance with corporate & regulatory requirements
• Drives the usage of digital procurement tools (ePos, purchasing suite, etc.)

Cost Management & Continuous Improvement & Change Management

• Delivers regional savings targets
• Identifies local cost reduction opportunities
• Implements continuous improvement measures locally

Risk, Supply & Escalation Management

• Monitors regional supply risks and disruptions
• Executes mitigation and escalation handling
• Acts as first escalation layer

Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Interfaces with local stakeholders (plants, operations, engineering, other stakeholders in the region)
• Ensures implementation of global decisions
• Provides regional feedback & escalation input

Qualifications

Education/certification: Bachelor Degree or higher or adequate long term professional experience

Professional Experience 3-5 years of professional experience in Purchasing or other relevant functions

Project And Process Experience proven experience in Purchasing functions and organisational principles; project management experience is a plus

Very good communicative skills & team player

High own initiative and ability to work independently acc. to target settings

Intercultural And International Experience experienced in international cultures and business environment, worked in international Teams for minimum 3 years