Global Category Manager (Procurement)

Global Category Leader (Procurement) - International B2B Leader - €100-125k package

I’m partnering with a well-established international German organisation that is quietly reshaping how its procurement function operates - moving from fragmented buying to a clear, empowered, central model. This is a senior category leadership role for someone who has done this before, enjoys commercial ownership as well as hands‑on negotiation, and can confidently operate among very senior stakeholders.

Why this role is interesting:

• You’ll step into a newly clarified category ownership model , with genuine authority to shape how things are done.
• This is not a purely strategic ivory-tower role - you will negotiate, challenge suppliers, guide senior buyers, and still build trust‑based partnerships.
• You’ll work alongside very experienced procurement leaders who don’t need managing, but do need a peer with presence, judgment, and backbone.
• The culture is pragmatic, forward‑thinking, and people‑first - the company environment promotes agility, outcomes, inclusivity and innovation.

The job:

• Take end‑to‑end ownership of a globally relevant procurement category
• Design and evolve category structure, supplier landscape, and commercial approach
• Act as the functional lead for senior buyers and local purchasing teams (formal line management may follow)
• Lead negotiations, resolve pricing escalations, and set the tone with key vendors
• Build processes where needed
• Balance global consistency with local realities
• Operate comfortably with VP‑level leadership and country heads

Who tends to succeed here:

• A senior Category Manager / Head of Category who is still commercially sharp and enjoys supplier interaction
• Someone confident enough to challenge experienced peers respectfully and effectively
• Strong negotiator - firm, fair, and relationship‑savvy
• Has built or rebuilt category structures before, not just inherited them
• Relishes ambiguity and influence rather than rigid hierarchy
• International mindset; English is essential, German might be helpful but not required
• Living and right to work in Germany already

Further details:

• Primary base: Stuttgart region (hybrid and flexible: typically 2-3 days on site, flexed monthly rather than weekly)
• Some travel, but infrequent and not necessarily each month
• Compensation typically lands around €100-120k , with flexibility for a strong match from the exact same industry

Feel free to send your CV to for more details.