Global Category Manager Packaging

Global Category Manager Corrugated Boxes (Packaging)

In this role you will work closely with teams in a multicultural and cross‑functional environment across several countries and interact with a wide variety of stakeholders — from Supply Chain technicians and managers to R&D colleagues and Plant Managers. Navigating these different perspectives and communication styles is a central element of success in this position, so a strong level of intercultural competence and stakeholder empathy is essential.

The role requires a balanced tactical and strategic mindset. Corrugated boxes, under the Packaging Dept., is a highly dynamic and operationally driven category, requiring a high degree of proactiveness and responsiveness to day‑to‑day supply topics. At the same time, the role must maintain a clear strategic direction: driving category strategies, cost optimisation initiatives, and long‑term sourcing decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead Procurement and Supplier Management of Corrugated Boxes category, under the Packaging Dept., as part of Direct Procurement
• Engage with HARTMANN's division stakeholders on demand and requirements (incl. CRs) on products to define and set requirements for suppliers
• Ensure direct material set of KPIs, geared to measure and optimise the performance of the Inco categories' direct material procurement network and sourcing figures
• Ensure procurement target achievement for Corrugated Boxes category incl. the total sourcing costs
• Definition, implementation and execution of Corrugated Boxes category
• Definition, implementation and execution of strategic sourcing, VAT, design‑to‑cost and TCO projects
• Perform Supplier Management (phase in, evaluate, classify, develop and phase out suppliers)
• Perform procurement market research and bring in supplier innovations
• Ensure to negotiate and award contracts involving the relevant stakeholders and perform contract management
• Make sure all relevant SOPs, work instructions, guidelines and laws are followed with a additional focus on Master Data and documentation

Qualifications

• University degree (Bachelor, Diplom Kaufmann) in business administration or similar (technical) degree
• Intercultural competence
• 3+ years of first‑hand procurement or master planning experience, ideally as procurement specialist or category manager with strategic and tactical responsibility and accountability
• Leadership ability (LACE) also in a cross functional environment (e.g. with R&D, marketing, SCM) and in cost optimisation projects
• Assertiveness, confident use of IT tools (incl. Procurement Tools), team empathy, affinity for figures
• Experience in category management and knowledge in procurement methodologies, negotiation and contracting
• Fluency in English
• Stable and continuously growing, international company with over 200 years of history
• To support your Work‑Life‑Balance, we offer flexible working conditions, e.g. flexitime or mobile working on a daily basis, as well as attractive ways of combining work and family life, e.g. parent‑child workroom
• Attractive salary with special annual payments
• 30 days paid leave per year, plus special leave for exceptional life events
• A secure job with a permanent contract
• A great working atmosphere in a friendly and motivated international team
• Company pension plan with attractive employer contribution incl. matching model for deferred compensation
• Various employee offers e.g. Corporate Benefits platform and various health and fitness offers, e.g. yoga during lunch break, cooperation with fitness studios, company doctor, massage offers
• Feedback conversations and resulting training opportunities as well as diverse development opportunities

*the male form is for simplification only and stands for the gender‑neutral description of the profession