Global Lead Buyer - Ocean freight and Logistic Services

MAHLE; Wrocław; Hybrid; PLN 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

MAHLE is seeking a Global Lead Buyer – Ocean Freight & Logistics Services to define and execute a global sourcing strategy for international Ocean Freight and strategic logistics services across all Business Units. You will optimize transportation cost, service performance, and sustainability while managing relationships with global providers.

Your contributions include leading RFQs, negotiating contracts, and driving supplier performance and cross-BU collaboration to ensure business continuity

Qualifications

• 8+ years in strategic procurement or category management.
• Experience in global transportation tenders and spend.
• Knowledge of container shipping, trade lanes, and pricing models.
• Experience negotiating with global ocean carriers and providers.
• Fluent English; German or Spanish is an advantage.
• University degree in business, logistics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute MAHLE’s global Ocean Freight sourcing strategy.
• Lead RFQs and contract negotiations for ocean freight and logistics.
• Manage relationships with carriers, NVOCCs, freight forwarders and providers.
• Deliver cost savings and supplier optimization through sourcing.
• Monitor markets, carrier performance, and geopolitical trends.
• Collaborate with Global Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Procurement.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data-driven

Education

University degree

Tools

SAP TM

Coupa

Transporeon

Xeneta

Freightos

Jira

Power BI

Job description

As Global Lead Buyer – Ocean Freight & Logistics Services, you will define and execute MAHLE’s global sourcing strategy for international Ocean Freight and strategic logistics services across all Business Units. You will be responsible for optimizing transportation cost, service performance, supply resilience and sustainability while managing strategic relationships with global logistics providers and ocean carriers.

Your Contribution

• Support the development and execution of MAHLE’s global Ocean Freight sourcing strategy and long-term supplier roadmap.
• Lead global sourcing initiatives, RFQs, and contract negotiations for Ocean Freight, multimodal transportation, and strategic logistics services.
• Manage strategic relationships with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers.
• Negotiate freight rates, capacity agreements, service levels, and other key commercial terms.
• Deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, and supplier optimization through strategic sourcing and cross-BU collaboration.
• Monitor freight markets, carrier performance, capacity trends, and geopolitical developments to support sourcing decisions.
• Develop mitigation plans for supply chain disruptions and support transportation network optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Global Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Procurement teams to ensure business continuity.
• Drive supplier performance management, continuous improvement, and sustainability initiatives.

Your Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in strategic procurement or category management of Ocean Freight and international transportation.
• Proven experience managing global transportation spend and leading international transportation tenders.
• Strong knowledge of international container shipping, global trade lanes, ocean carrier markets, freight forwarding, multimodal transportation, and transportation economics.
• Demonstrated experience leading transportation tenders involving FCL, LCL, multimodal transportation, and strategic carrier sourcing.
• Strong understanding of ocean freight pricing models, total landed costs, carrier allocations, transportation network optimization, and logistics cost modeling.
• Knowledge of Incoterms® 2020, FIATA standards, ocean carrier contracting, IMO regulations, FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS for maritime transport, customs processes, and international trade requirements.
• Experience with one or more transportation, procurement, and analytics systems, such as SAP / SAP TM, Coupa, Transporeon, Xeneta, Freightos, Jira, and Power BI.
• Experience negotiating directly with global ocean carriers and major logistics providers.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, supported by a data-driven approach.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and cross-functional environments.
• Fluent English; German or Spanish is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• University degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Our Offering

• Attractive salary package (incl. co-financed private medical care, Multisport, Medicover Sport, opportunity to join group insurance)
• Free personal, legal and financial advisory service (Employee Assistance Program)
• Becoming a member of a fast-growing team in an innovative company with stable market position
• Possibility to work for a well-known brand, a leader in Automotive industry whose products are highly recognized worldwide
• Relocation bonus for candidates who are based more than 100 km from Wrocław
• Online foreign language courses
• Referral bonus program
• Flexible work schedule and possible working from home solution (1-2 days/week from the office in Wrocław + home office)

We will provide a collaborative environment working on exciting assignments, along with personal & career development opportunities.

We encourage you to apply if it feels like a good fit for you or to review our other openings. You may just be the right candidate for this or other role.

After inviting you to the recruitment process, the next step will typically be a screening call followed by video or personal interview(s).

For more information about MAHLE and what a career with us looks like for you, click here and to learn more about our foundation owned technology group click here.

#TeamMAHLE is diverse – and we see that as a great advantage! We welcome applications with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities.

Do you have any questions?

[e-mail]

Information about the processing of personal data in regard to recruitment:

The controller of your personal data obtained in connection with the recruitment process is Mahle Shared Services Poland Sp. z o.o. The Controller can be contacted at the following email address: [e-mail]. For more information about the processing of your personal data, including your rights, please click here.