Global Category Lead* Packaging

About DAW

With around 6,300 employees and numerous production sites in Germany and abroad, as well as a turnover of 1.58billion euros, DAW is one of the leading private corporate groups in Europe for paints, coatings, building protection and energy-saving thermal insulation composite systems, headquartered in the Rhine-Main region. With our well-known brands Caparol and Alpina, we are market leaders in both the professional and DIY sectors.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Global Category Lead (Packaging).

What you can expect

• Develop and execute global category strategies for rigid packaging such as plastic buckets, tin cans and metal containers, including governance models, bundling, tenders and long‑term sourcing roadmaps.
• Lead global negotiations and manage contracts to secure competitive pricing, reliable supply and strong supplier performance.
• Act as the central expert for rigid packaging and closely partner with Product Management, R&D, Marketing, Operations and Quality to support innovation and product development.
• Analyze global market trends in plastics and metals, assess supplier performance and drive improvements in cost, quality and sustainability.
• Foster supplier‑driven innovation in packaging materials, designs and manufacturing technologies to support product development and cost optimisation.
• Drive sustainability and regulatory compliance initiatives for rigid packaging, including recyclability, material reduction and alignment with global packaging regulations.
• Provide functional leadership to global procurement teams, ensuring alignment, knowledge sharing and consistent execution.

What you bring with you

• University degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain or Engineering; an MBA or MS is preferred.
• 7‑10 years of procurement experience, including at least 3 years at a global or regional level.
• Valuable knowledge of plastics, metals, coatings and packaging manufacturing technologies; this would be highly beneficial.
• Strategic mindset combined with hands‑on problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams in a matrix environment.
• Strategic thinker with analytical and project‑management strength.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English.