Regional Category Buyer- NPM Purchasing

Regional Category Buyer- NPM Purchasing

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading material experts for industry applications. The Continental group sector offers its customers reliable, safe and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 20,000 employees (Status as of March 2026) at more than 60 sites globally, and sales of some 6.0 billion euros (2025), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America.  

The Regional Category Buyer for CapEx, IT, Energy and Utilities is responsible for developing and executing regional category strategies that support ContiTech's business objectives, enhance supply chain performance, deliver sustainable cost improvements, and drive value creation through strategic supplier partnerships.

The role acts as the key interface between Procurement and our internal Business Partner as well as our suppliers, ensuring best-in-class sourcing practices, risk mitigation, operational excellence and continuous improvement across all activities in the assigned categories.

Your tasks

• Leading all related purchasing activities in the respective region related to CapEx, IT, Energy and Utilities together with the Global Category Head.
• Drive negotiations considering best commercial and operational aspects and ensure compliance with valid rules
• Management of the RfQ-Process for demands/shopping carts, offer evaluation, creation of offer comparison, including the awarding of suppliers
• Develop and execute regional category strategies aligned with global category objectives
• Build and maintain category roadmaps, sourcing pipelines and annual value creation plans
• Ensure full coverage of all business requirements in the received offers
• Ensure contract coverage and procurement compliance
• Act as point of escalation for operational topics
• Support operational improvements by negotiating commercial benefits
• Develop, improve and maintain rate cards standards
• Ensure proper PO execution and define automation strategies within your assigned area
• Keep alignment between purchasing and internal customer strategy

Qualifications

• Academic degree in supply chain, engineering, or comparable qualification
• Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing and category management within international organizations, preferably in CapEx, IT, Energy and Utilities, with a proven track record of delivering savings, value creation and supplier performance improvements
• Proven experience leading cross-functional sourcing, transformation and implementation projects in an international environment
• Strong affinity for digital procurement solutions, data analytics, eSourcing platforms, AI-supported procurement tools and process automation
• Ability to influence and align senior stakeholders across CapEx, IT, Energy and Utilities and Procurement functions
• Knowledge of MS Office tools as well as in SAP R/3 and World Class Sourcing Platforms
• Excellent communication skills in local Language and in English, both verbal and written, are essential
• Affinity for cooperation with people and intercultural competences
• Excellent negotiation, supplier management and commercial leadership skills with the ability to achieve sustainable business results
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience in spend analysis, market intelligence, cost modeling and performance management
• Proven ability to work effectively in global and multicultural environments, fostering collaboration across regions and functions
• Creativity, reliability, integrity, teamwork, operates with global perspective
• Willingness for business travels

Additional Information

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.