Head of Procurement – Direct Sourcing (f/m/x)

KARE - a leader in its segment of the market - is a privately owned company with international operations in the field of furniture, lighting and furnishing accessories. With its 'Joy of living' slogan the company markets unconventional furnishing design at attractive prices under its own KARE brand since 1981. Today the company counts more than 200 shops in 50 countries.

We are restructuring our company, and procurement is a key driver of this process. That's why we're looking for a full-time Head of Procurement - Direct Sourcing (m/f/x) to join the KARE headquarters in Munich (Garching-Hochbrück) with immediate effect .

You will lead procurement as a strategic management function: product range parameters, channel demand, total costs, supplier portfolio, outstanding orders, inventory, and liquidity all come together under your oversight before a procurement decision is made. This transforms procurement from a purely transactional ordering process into a function focused on delivery capability that influences margins and liquidity.

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Your responsibilities:

• Supplier and procurement strategy by product category, product role, region, and risk profile
• Negotiating prices, payment terms, bonuses, Incoterms, MOQs, and freight and ancillary costs to optimize overall cost-effectiveness
• Approving orders based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, stockout risk, target margins, and liquidity limits including the decision to cancel unviable orders
• Segmentation, consolidation, and development of the supplier portfolio; establishing reliable alternative sources for critical product groups
• Managing supplier performance, quality, on-time delivery, and claims in collaboration with Quality Management and Supply Chain
• Leading and developing category buyers through clear product group responsibilities, targets, and negotiation mandates

That's why you fit into our team:

• At least five years of experience in international procurement, preferably in direct sourcing within the retail or consumer goods sector
• Proven experience with product category strategies, RFIs/RFQs, supplier selection, and contract and terms negotiations
• Proficiency in TCO, target costing, MOQ, Incoterms, and order approval logic
• Experience leading or effectively managing a procurement team
• Fluency in German and English for business negotiations; strong proficiency in Excel, ERP systems, and data analysis
• Personal qualities: Strong negotiation skills, business acumen, analytical resilience, and a willingness to push through decisions even in the face of resistance

We offer you:

• A key role with a direct impact on margins, liquidity, and earnings, and with short decision-making paths
• Freedom to shape purchasing processes, the supplier base, and the team
• Direct reporting to the Operations Division Management and a clearly prioritized transformation program
• Competitive compensation with a performance-based variable component
• KARE Academy at the headquarters with a wide range of training opportunities
• Our subsidized gym memberships at Body+Soul and EGYM Wellpass
• Subsidized job bike leasing program
• Affordable, fresh lunches in our in-house cafeteria
• & all standard benefits, like retirement planning and additional vacation days