Global Category Manager Packaging

Global Category Manager Corrugated Boxes (Packaging)

DEU-Heidenheim

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 for the Corrugated Boxes category as part of Direct Procurement.
• Engage with HARTMANN’s division stakeholders on demand and requirements (incl. CRs) to define and set requirements for suppliers.
• Ensure direct material KPIs that measure and optimise the performance of the Inco categories’ direct material procurement network and sourcing figures.
• Ensure procurement target achievement for the Corrugated Boxes category, including total sourcing costs.
• Define, implement, and execute category, strategic sourcing, VAT, design‑to‑cost, and TCO projects.
• Perform supplier management (phase‑in, evaluate, classify, develop, phase‑out).
• Perform procurement market research and bring in supplier innovations.
• Perform risk management (material/suppliers).
• Negotiate and award contracts involving relevant stakeholders and manage contracts.
• Ensure all relevant SOPs, work instructions, guidelines and laws are followed with a focus on master data and documentation.

Qualifications

• University degree (Bachelor, Diplom Kaufmann) in business administration or a similar technical degree.
• Procurement specific training such as negotiation.
• 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) in a cross‑functional environment (e.g. with R&D, marketing, SCM) and in cost optimisation projects.
• Negotiation skills.
• Assertiveness, confident use of IT tools (incl. procurement tools), team empathy, affinity for figures.
• Experience in category management and knowledge of procurement methodologies, negotiation and contracting.
• Fluency in English.

Benefits

• Stable and continuously growing international company with over 200 years of history.
• Flexible working conditions (flexitime, mobile working) and support for work‑life balance.
• Attractive salary with special annual payments.
• 30 days paid leave per year plus special leave for exceptional life events.
• Permanent contract and secure job.
• Friendly and motivated international team.
• Company pension plan with attractive employer contribution and matching model.
• Employee offers such as corporate benefits platform, health and fitness offers.
• Well‑developed infrastructure (canteen, café bar, parking, well‑equipped workspaces).
• Feedback conversations, training opportunities, and diverse development opportunities.