Global Category Lead ContiTech Information Technology

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2023, Continental generated sales of €41.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 56 countries and markets.

Tasks:

• MANAGEMENT
  • Technical and functionally leading of employees within the global organization in accordance with Continental's "Leadership principles".
  • Measure, report and control of objectives and target setting
  • Management of employees in the area of responsibility to ensure team success with motivated staff in alignment with Continentals core behaviors
  • Actively supporting employees in complex and difficult cases to ensure the success of employees.
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• STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIP
  • Act as interface and represent the interests of Continental and the Purchasing Community towards all internal and external stakeholders (e.g. Engineering, Plants, Suppliers)
  • Understands the business and purchasing strategy to derive actions for own managed category
  • Guide, support and train local and central stakeholders to execute with the right tools, methods and processes
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• CATEGORY MANAGEMENT
  • Develop and sustain (supplier) strategy for respective integrated category in alignment with all relevant stakeholders and supervisors (e.g. Engineering, Regions, Plants) and in compliance with all relevant purchasing processes, guidelines and procedures
  • Understand multiple data management systems and manage data analytics for the respective integrated category (identify spend profile and concentration, estimate / predict demand etc.)
  • Turns strategy into concrete actions and tangible goals as well as defining, monitoring and reporting relevant KPIs to track progress where applicable
  • Ensures stakeholder satisfaction through transparent and early communication / involvement
    
     
• SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:
  • Analysis of the global supplier market and conduction of benchmark analysis to derive actions for the global supplier portfolio
  • Maintains sustainable supplier relationship and conducts Strategic Supplier Meetings to deploy the global integrated category strategy
  • Supports the steering the annual supplier evaluation and derives development programs where needed
  • Performs annual and regular negotiations to constantly improve the cost situation for respective category, actively drives improvement or Total Cost of Ownership programs with suppliers
  • Monitor if supplier acts in line with Continentals Business Partner Code of Conduct (BPCoC), responsible value chain (RVC) rules and processes and takes actions accordingly
  • Supports the New Supplier Introduction Process
    
     
• SOURCING TO CONTRACT:
  • Autonomous preparation, conduction and finalization of international negotiations for own integrated category including supplier decisions compliant with the relevant internal policies (incl. audit-compliant documentation) with the target to achieve the defined goals and a special focus on highest value creation (e.g. with support of Terms & Conditions (TCO) analysis)
  • Drives make or buy scenarios, optimizes bundling effects and initiates Value-Engineering projects
  • Conduct complaint and claim negotiations with special strategic interest which can't be performed independently by the local units
  • Effective management of contract lifecycle for both existing and new contract agreements - compliant with the relevant internal policies (incl. audit-compliant documentation) - in order to ensure performance, financial and operational success
  • Ensure Compliance with Business Partner Code of Conduct, Continental Ethics and Values and all Corporate Guidelines

Academic degree in business administration, engineering or comparable qualification

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Purchasing of large companies with international background, preferably in technical purchasing (NPM area) with verifiable success
• Experience in project management
• Leadership experiences mandatory
• Knowledge of MS Office tools as well as in SAP R/3 and World Class Sourcing Platforms
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English are essential.
• Further languages beneficial (e. g. German, Spanish, Chinese)
• Affinity for cooperation with people and intercultural competences
• Strong negotiating skills, persuasion and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure, driving execution
• Creativity, reliability, integrity, teamwork, operates with global perspective
• Willingness to travel worldwide

What we offer:

• Integration Program in a professional, young & dynamic team;
• A mentor for your learning period;
• Recommendation Bonuses for new team members;

Wellbeing:

• Health & Wellness (Private Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Sport activities etc.);
• Different discounts (glasses, tires, medical, shopping);
• In-house restaurant & coffee corners.

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.