Purchasing VAVE & Cost Optimization Specialist

OPMobility; Kraków; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employment Stability

Private Life Insurance

Cafeteria system

Home office (2 days per week)

Company events

Job summary

OPmobility SE in Cracow, Poland, is seeking a Purchasing VAVE & Cost Optimization Specialist to drive cost reduction across purchased components within the Exterior & Lighting group. You will lead should-cost analyses, run workshops with suppliers, and collaborate across Purchasing, Engineering and Operations.

Travel 30–50% within Western and Central Europe is expected. We value a degree in a related field, 5+ years in purchasing or cost analysis, strong analytical skills, fluent English, and

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Purchasing, Industrial Management, Engineering or related field.
• Min 5 years in Purchasing, VAVE, product costing or automotive environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and cost structures.
• Experience in should-costing, VA/VE or cost analysis.
• Analytical and commercial mindset with supplier cost challenges.
• Confident communication and workshop facilitation.
• Fluent English; another European language is a plus.
• Travel 30–50%, mainly within Western and Central Europe.

Responsibilities

• Drive VAVE and cost optimization activities for purchased components.
• Analyze supplier cost structures based on should-cost models.
• Identify savings related to materials, processes, labor and cycles.
• Prepare and lead cost optimization workshops with suppliers.
• Support Commodity Buyers with cost analysis during negotiations.
• Coordinate opportunities across Purchasing, Engineering, Operations and suppliers.
• Manage the VAVE / should-cost pipeline from identification to implementation.
• Track savings initiatives and report progress to Purchasing Management.

Skills

VAVE experience

Cost optimization

Supplier cost analysis

Workshop facilitation

Negotiation support

Analytical thinking

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/ Purchasing/ Engineering

Job description

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Purchasing VAVE & Cost Optimization Specialist

Ready to take on meaningful challenges and shape the next generation of mobility?

Joining OPmobility means stepping into a global group with a purpose to keep people and goods moving safely, smarter, and sustainably everywhere.

The role of Purchasing VAVE & Cost Optimization Specialistis based in our Exterior & Lighting Business Group in Cracow, Poland.

Responsibilities:

• Drive VAVE and cost optimization activities for purchased components.
• Analyze supplier cost structures based on built and validated should-cost models
• Identify savings opportunities related to materials, manufacturing processes, labor, cycle times and other cost drivers.
• Prepare and lead cost optimization workshops with suppliers.
• Support Commodity Buyers with fact-based cost analysis during supplier negotiations and debriefings.
• Coordinate cost optimization opportunities across Purchasing, Engineering, Operations and suppliers.
• Manage the VAVE / should-cost opportunity pipeline from identification through implementation.
• Track savings initiatives and report progress to Purchasing Management.

Requirements:

• Degree in Business, Purchasing, Industrial Management, Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Purchasing, VAVE, product costing, manufacturing or a comparable automotive environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supplier cost structures.
• Experience in should-costing, VA/VE or product cost analysis.
• Strong analytical and commercial mindset with the ability to challenge supplier costs.
• Confident communication and workshop facilitation skills.
• Fluent English; another European language is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel 30–50%, mainly within Western and Central Europe.

We offer:

• Employment Stability
• Private Life Insurance
• Other Social Services (Cafeteria system, e.g. Multisport card)
• Home office (2 days per week)
• Company events

At OPmobility, people truly matter. We are committed to building inclusive teams, promoting diversity and equality, and ensuring that every application is considered fairly - because the future of mobility is built by diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who dare to move forward.

Innovation is therefore not a buzzword, but a natural part of everyday work. You’ll grow in an international environment where cutting-edge technologies, industrial excellence, and real-world impact come together to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s automotive industry.

Founded in 1946 by Pierre Burelle, OPmobility, known until 2024 as Plastic Omnium, has transformed itself into a player in sustainable and connected mobility. Today, OPmobility develops technological solutions across four areas of expertise: exterior and lighting systems, the integration of complex modules, technologies related to energy storage, hydrogen and electrification, and a division dedicated to the development of embedded software and digital solutions.

With €11.5 billion in revenue in 2025, 152 factories, 40 R&D centers, and nearly 38,100 employees across 28 countries, OPmobility combines global scale with local impact. All driven by a shared ambition to accelerate the automotive energy transition.