Global Category Manager (Tools) Purchase · Warszawa (PL)

Knauf Industries Group; Polska; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent contract

26 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Remote work on select days

Private medical care

Life insurance

Sports card

Company pension

Job summary

Knauf Industries seeks a Global Category Manager (Tools) to lead tooling category strategy, supplier selection and cross‑functional collaboration across plants, projects and suppliers. The role drives cost transparency, standardisation and supplier performance improvements in a complex international environment.

You will coordinate with sales, project management, and industrial teams to define tooling requirements, manage RFI/RFQ processes, and ensure governance and timelines are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a comparable role in strategic procurement, category management, sourcing or supplier management within an international industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience of leading RFI/RFQ processes, supplier selection, commercial negotiations and supplier-performance management.
• Experience in tooling, moulds, EPP/EPS processing or injection-moulding technologies is an advantage.
• Experience in the automotive industry is an advantage.
• CIPS qualification, or a comparable professional procurement certification, is an advantage.
• Professional working proficiency in English, both written and spoken; additional languages are an advantage.
• Experience working with cross-functional, international and remote stakeholder groups is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and align Sales, Project Management, plants, Industrialisation teams and suppliers on tooling requirements, priorities, timelines and decisions.
• Act as a change agent, driving improvements in tooling sourcing, supplier management, cost transparency and cross-functional ways of working.
• Develop and implement the global tooling category strategy in line with business needs, stakeholder priorities and Knauf Industries' objectives.
• Lead RFI/RFQ processes, commercial negotiations and supplier selection, ensuring compliance with procurement governance and project timelines.
• Build, manage and develop a competitive global tooling supplier panel, including supplier relationships, performance reviews and risk management.
• Drive supplier performance and continuous improvement against QCD targets, including quality, cost, delivery, innovation and sustainability.
• Identify and deliver cost-reduction, standardisation and value-improvement opportunities across the tooling category.
• Monitor market developments, supplier capabilities and commercial risks to secure continuity of supply and support informed business decisions.

Skills

Category management

Strategic procurement

Supplier management

RFI/RFQ

Negotiations

Cost reduction

Cross-functional teams

English language

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Procurement/Supply Chain/Engineering/Business

Job description

Category Manager (Tools)

Knauf stands for opportunity. We know that opportunities look different for everyone, and we take pride in recognizing the potential in every individual.

As a Group, we are a global manufacturer of building materials; our 41,500 employees across 300 locations in 90 countries offer immense opportunities to anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and encourage you to bring your whole self to work-enriching the company in the process-en because together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.

Knauf Industries is a division of the Knauf Group specializing in the design and manufacture of packaging, insulation, and technical components. We operate in 8 countries, with 38 facilities and a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. We are experts in foam molding, plastic injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming. We serve the agri-food, automotive, industrial, and construction markets.

Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy lies at the heart of our strategy, underscoring our commitment to human values and sustainable development.

Driven by shared visions and goals, we live and work at Knauf worldwide in accordance with clear values: Menschlichkeit (humanity), partnership, commitment, and entrepreneurship. If these values resonate with you, this opportunity might be of interest.

We are looking for: Global Category Manager (Tools)

MAIN ATTRIBUTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and align Sales, Project Management, plants, Industrialisation teams and suppliers on tooling requirements, priorities, timelines and decisions.

• Act as a change agent, driving improvements in tooling sourcing, supplier management, cost transparency and cross-functional ways of working.

• Develop and implement the global tooling category strategy in line with business needs, stakeholder priorities and Knauf Industries' objectives.

• Lead RFI/RFQ processes, commercial negotiations and supplier selection, ensuring compliance with procurement governance and project timelines.

• Build, manage and develop a competitive global tooling supplier panel, including supplier relationships, performance reviews and risk management.

• Drive supplier performance and continuous improvement against QCD targets, including quality, cost, delivery, innovation and sustainability.

• Identify and deliver cost-reduction, standardisation and value-improvement opportunities across the tooling category.

• Monitor market developments, supplier capabilities and commercial risks to secure continuity of supply and support informed business decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline.

- Minimum 3 years of experience in a comparable role in strategic procurement, category management, sourcing or supplier management within an international industrial environment.

- Demonstrated experience of leading RFI/RFQ processes, supplier selection, commercial negotiations and supplier-performance management.

- Experience in tooling, moulds, EPP/EPS processing or injection-moulding technologies is an advantage.

- Experience in the automotive industry is an advantage.

- CIPS qualification, or a comparable professional procurement certification, is an advantage.

- Professional working proficiency in English, both written and spoken; additional languages are an advantage.

- Experience working with cross-functional, international and remote stakeholder groups is preferred.

We offer:

Security: A permanent employment contract with a stable, successful family-owned company.

Flexibility: 26 days of annual leave*, special leave for specific situations, flexible working hours with a wide time window, and the option to work remotely on selected days of the week.

Health and well-being: Health promotion programs, private medical care, life insurance, and sports cards.

Future planning: Company pension plan options.

A warm welcome: Personalized onboarding days, company and team events, and a positive atmosphere within an international, inspiring, and dynamic environment.

We understand that your time is valuable and that applying for a new job can be time-consuming; therefore, we commit to responding to all applications within a few days.

Knauf Industries is committed to fostering a discrimination-free work environment that prioritizes diversity and inclusion.

*based on the submitted documents