Product Development & Category Buyer

Kumtel Home Appliances Co.; Fatih; On-site; TRY 300,000 - 460,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Ownership of products

Direct access to management

Factory visits

Mentoring path

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Kumtel Home Appliances Co. in Turkey is seeking an open-level Buying/Product Development role to manage SDA, MDA, and cooling/heating ranges. You will work with suppliers and internal teams to bring new products from brief to launch, negotiating terms, and ensuring profitability.

Your title and salary depend on experience. From 1 to 3 years, you handle day-to-day buying and supplier communication; from 3 to 5 years you own a range and lead supplier negotiations; 5+ years you shape strategy and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or related field.
• 1+ year experience in buying, sourcing, procurement, or product development.
• Experience with suppliers; negotiation skills grow with level.
• Understanding of product specs, components and testing.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier/factory visits.
• Experience with private label or own-brand development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage product range across SDA/MDA and cooling/heating.
• Coordinate with design, marketing, quality, sales, logistics and finance.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard suppliers; negotiate terms.
• Plan POs with supply chain and monitor stock and margins.
• Prepare category performance reports and support lifecycle decisions.

Skills

Fluent Turkish

Fluent English

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Project and deadline management

Negotiation & relationship management

Communication & teamwork

Commercial awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or Supply Chain

Tools

ERP systems

Buying systems

MS Excel

Job description

You will help develop and manage our KUMTEL home appliances range across Small Domestic Appliances (SDA), Major Domestic Appliances (MDA), and cooling and heating. You will work with suppliers and internal teams to bring new products from idea to launch, negotiate commercial terms, and keep the range competitive and profitable. You will report directly to the department manager and work with design, quality, marketing, sales, logistics, and finance.

This is an open-level position. We welcome applicants from 1 year of experience up to senior specialists. Your title, scope, and salary will be based on your experience and skills.

Your Scope Grows with Your Experience

From 1 to 3 years of experience: you handle day-to-day buying and supplier communication, follow new products from brief to launch, and own selected products within the range, with mentoring from your manager and the team.

From 3 to 5 years: you own a product range (for example SDA, MDA, or cooling and heating), run development projects independently, and lead supplier negotiations within agreed targets.

5+ years: you shape category and supplier strategy, lead major negotiations, own range, margin, and profitability, and coach colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Research market trends, competitor products, and customer feedback to identify range opportunities
• Prepare product briefs and technical specifications, and manage development through sampling, testing, approval, and launch
• Work with design, marketing, and quality teams on product positioning, packaging, manuals, and labeling
• Coordinate testing and certification, and ensure products meet safety and regulatory requirements (CE, RoHS, energy labeling, and local standards)

Category Buying and Supplier Management

• Manage range, pricing, promotions, and stock availability for your assigned products
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers, and build strong long-term supplier relationships
• Request and compare quotations, and negotiate prices, lead times, minimum order quantities, and payment terms within agreed targets
• Plan and follow up purchase orders with supply chain and logistics to maintain healthy stock levels
• Monitor sales, stock, and margin performance, and take action to improve results

Collaboration and Reporting

• Coordinate with sales, marketing, logistics, after-sales service, and finance on launches, forecasts, and spare parts planning
• Prepare regular category performance reports and present insights and recommendations to management
• Support range reviews and lifecycle decisions, including discontinuations

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field
• At least 1 year of experience in buying, sourcing, procurement, or product development, ideally in home appliances, consumer electronics, or similar durable goods
• Experience working with suppliers; negotiation experience is a plus at junior level and expected at specialist and senior level
• Understanding of product specifications, components, and quality testing processes
• Strong analytical skills and good Excel knowledge
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Fluent Turkish and English
• Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier and factory visits
• Experience working with Asian manufacturers (e.g., China) and import/export processes
• Knowledge of electrical product safety standards and certification requirements
• Experience with private label or own-brand development
• Familiarity with ERP or buying systems
• Familiarity with after-sales service, warranty, and spare parts management
• Ownership and accountability for results
• Negotiation and relationship management across cultures
• Technical curiosity and attention to detail
• Commercial awareness and sound judgment
• Project and deadline management
• Clear communication and teamwork

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus, set according to your experience and discussed openly at interview
• Real ownership of your products, from concept to launch
• Direct access to management and the chance to shape our own-brand portfolio
• Factory visits, supplier negotiations, and international trade fair exposure
• Mentoring and a clear development path for those growing into the role
• A collaborative team culture with room to make an impact