Job Description

The Category Purchasing Specialist is responsible for the development and implementation of the Global Purchasing Strategy for the assigned components technologies and its subcategories for all Continental divisions and affiliated companies. Creates an added value for all Business Areas in terms of commercial, logistics and even technical enhancements, i.e., sustainable total cost reduction, support quality initiatives for internal customers, warranty, and liability optimization, ensuring the availability of materials and services. Problem solving and solutions-based mindset. Provides data transparency, suggests process improvements as well as strengthening relationships with Business Partners (internally and externally).

PURCHASING STRATEGY: Support implementation of the global Purchasing strategy. Develop, maintain, align, communicate and implement Purchasing Strategies (Category Strategy Papers, Preferred Supplier Panel) in alignment with all respective stakeholders.

POOLING & STRATEGIC SUPPLIER PANEL: Drive the Execution of Market Intelligence studies and ensure the ideal balance of Competition and Pooling through e.g., supplier reduction and implementation of strategic suppliers to achieve a maximum commercial contribution and best possible synergy effects.

SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: Identify, develop, and promote Global Suppliers. Conduct Supplier meetings. Drive the implementation of Improvement programs (e.g., cost modeling, design to cost, new technology evaluation) with Global Suppliers steering the category towards improving commercial conditions for all relevant stakeholders.

CONTRACTS: Negotiate and Manage favorable Framework Agreements consisting of legal, logistical, commercial and technical conditions in close alignment with stakeholders.

SOURCING PROJECTS: Support global sourcing projects as well as identify, initiate and negotiate Projects Sourcing's in cooperation with the respective stakeholders using different sourcing concepts, strategies and leverages.

KPI’s: Negotiate and track relevant KPI´s on a Supplier and Category scale according to the Contracts and Targets.

COMPLIANCE: Ensure Supplier Compliance to the Continental Business Partner Code of Conduct

Organization and Magnitude:
This position is part of an international team, reporting functionally and disciplinary to a Senior Category Manager located in Deer Park, IL. The respective purchasing volume is managed directly by the position holder.

*** Continental is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

*** Continental is not able to provide relocation for this opportunity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or relevant field or 2+ years of professional experience in category management, strategic sourcing, or comparable.
• Strong negotiation, and communication skills.
• Affinity for self-development, and technical knowledge desirable.
• Ability to work with ambiguity, under pressure, and a drive for results.
• Creativity, resiliency, integrity, teamwork, operates with a global perspective.
• Working knowledge in MS Office
• Able to travel when needed

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO-Statement:

EEO / AA / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to Careers@conti-na.com or contact US Recruiting at 248.393.5566. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

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