Category Buyer (M/F)

LHH; Poland; On-site; PLN 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International team

Growth path

Cost optimization impact

Job summary

LHH is seeking a Category Specialist for an international manufacturing client in Opole, Poland. You will own selected procurement categories, drive sourcing projects and manage supplier relationships with local and international teams.

The initial scope includes raw materials, ingredients and packaging categories. You will lead negotiations, analyze spend and contribute to category strategies while coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• University degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Economics, Business Administration or related field.
• Several years of experience in procurement, purchasing or supply chain.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food industry.
• Experience in supplier negotiations and relationship management.
• Strong analytical skills with cost, quotation and spend data.
• Commercial mindset with results orientation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Very good command of English.
• Very good MS Excel knowledge.
• Experience with ERP systems and digital procurement tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing and purchasing processes for assigned categories, including RFQs.
• Conduct market analysis, supplier research and quotation analysis.
• Analyze spend, costs and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Lead commercial negotiations and recommend sourcing solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance on cost, quality, delivery and service.
• Identify procurement risks and support alternative sourcing.
• Contribute to category strategies, budgets and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support projects for production site development and growth in Opole.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, R&D, Finance and Supply Chain teams.
• Support improvement projects to optimize costs, supply security and supplier performance.
• Maintain procurement data, contracts and reporting in internal systems.

Skills

Procurement

Category management

RFQ

Negotiations

Stakeholder management

Excel

Education

University degree in Procurement or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Digital procurement tools

Job description

For our Client, an international manufacturing company, we are looking for a Category Specialist to join the Procurement team. The person in this role will be responsible for selected purchasing categories, sourcing projects and supplier cooperation, working closely with both local and international teams.

The initial scope of responsibility will include raw materials/ingredients and packaging categories.

Your responsibilities

• Managing sourcing and purchasing processes for assigned categories, including RFQs,
• Conducting market analysis, supplier research and quotation analysis,
• Analyzing spend, costs and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO),
• Leading commercial negotiations and recommending the best sourcing solutions,
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers,
• Monitoring supplier performance in terms of cost, quality, delivery and service,
• Identifying supply and commercial risks and supporting alternative sourcing solutions,
• Contributing to category strategies, procurement budgets and cost-saving initiatives,
• Supporting projects related to the development and growth of the production site in Opole,
• Cooperating closely with Production, Quality, R&D, Finance and Supply Chain teams,
• Supporting improvement projects aimed at optimizing costs, supply security and supplier performance,
• Maintaining accurate procurement data, contracts and reporting in internal systems.

Our requirements

• University degree, preferably in Procurement, Supply Chain, Economics, Business Administration or a related field,
• Several years of experience in procurement, purchasing or Supply Chain,
• Experience in a manufacturing environment will be an advantage; experience in the food industry is particularly welcome,
• Experience in supplier negotiations and relationship management,
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work with cost, quotation and spend data,
• Commercial mindset and a results-oriented approach,
• Ability to manage several priorities and work independently,
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills,
• Very good command of English,
• Very good knowledge of MS Excel,
• Experience with ERP systems and digital procurement tools will be an advantage.

We offer

• Stable employment in an international manufacturing company,
• A role with real ownership of assigned purchasing categories,
• Opportunity to develop towards a Category Manager position,
• Cooperation with an experienced Procurement team,
• Participation in international sourcing and procurement projects,
• Opportunity to develop expertise in strategic procurement, sourcing and negotiations,
• International and cross-functional working environment,
• Real impact on cost optimization, supplier performance and the development of the organization.