Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2022, Continental generated sales of €39.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 57 countries and markets.

The ContiTech group sector develops and manufactures, for example, cross-material, environmentally friendly and intelligent products and systems for the automotive industry, railway engineering, mining, agriculture and other key industries. Guided by the vision of “smart and sustainable solutions beyond rubber,” the group sector draws on its long-standing knowledge of the industry and materials to open up new business opportunities by combining various materials with electronic components and individual services. 

Missions and Purpose of this position

ONE ContiTech – The first choice for material driven solutions.  

Are you interested in shaping the future of ContiTech together with a great team?

Please join us and contribute to our goals with your new role as EMEA Category Buyer for Packaging within Purchasing@ContiTech.

The EMEA category buyer for Packaging is responsible for all regional tactical purchasing activities in the area of above mentioned Services.

The regional category approach creates a mutual added Value for all internal Customers in terms of commercial, logistical and processual Enhancements by providing Expertise and Best Practices around the needs of the internal Customers as well as strengthening the relationship to strategic Business Partners (internally and externally).

Your tasks

The Role of Category Buyer is responsible for performing all purchasing activities within certain material/service fields with the objective of optimal supply and generating a maximum profit contribution in compliance with the company's policies and purchasing guidelines.

This position is reporting directly and functionally to the Regional Cluster Manager. The role is carrying out all purchasing activities with a medium degree of difficulty and complexity, in the area of goods/services for which the job holder is responsible for.

▪ Autonomous preparation, conduction and finalization of international negotiations for own integrated category including supplier decisions compliant with the relevant internal policies (incl. audit-compliant documentation) with the target to achieve the defined goals and a special focus on highest value creation (e.g. with support of Terms & Conditions (TCO) analysis)

▪ Drives make or buy scenarios, optimizes bundling effects and initiates Value-Engineering projects

▪ Conduct complaint and claim negotiations with special strategic interest which can’t be performed independently by the local units

▪ Effective management of contract lifecycle for both existing and new contract agreements - compliant with the relevant internal policies (incl. audit-compliant documentation) -  in order to ensure performance, financial and operational success

▪ Ensure Compliance with Business Partner Code of Conduct, Continental Ethics and Values and all Corporate Guidelines

▪ Approval and negotiations of shopping carts and Purchase Requisitions above 25 k€;

▪ Creates and sends Purchase Orders to the suppliers ( Purchase to Pay process ).

▪ Escalation Management/Problem Solving by executing approaches with the aim to secure

▪ Ensure Compliance with Business Partner Code of Conduct, Continental Ethics and Values and all Corporate Guidelines;

- Consults internal customers for information regarding provision of goods/services, purchasing constraints and process optimization in his/her area of responsibility.

- Plans and organizes regular meetings with internal key customers.

- Clarifies technical and commercial requirements together with the requester and the supplier

▪ Understand multiple data management systems and manage data analytics for the respective integrated category (identify spend profile and concentration, estimate / predict demand etc)

▪ Turns strategy into concrete actions and tangible goals as well as defining, monitoring and reporting relevant KPIs to track progress where applicable

▪ Ensures stakeholder satisfaction through transparent and early communication / involvement

▪ Drive the adoption of digital tools and procurement technologies (e.g., e-sourcing platforms, AI-driven analytics) to enhance efficiency, transparency, and decision-making.

- Supplier selection, supplier evaluation and reduction to optimize the existing supplier pannel.

Lead or participate in projects with relevance for owned category, within the purchasing organization or cross functional projects

▪ Global responsibility for a dedicated CPMG, including strategy development, implementation, and alignment with Global Category Lead and to ensure cost, quality, and supply objectives

Your profile

• University Degree (Diploma/Bachelor/Masters) preferred and extensive experience, related certifications.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in business would be preferred,
• Strong analytic and conceptual competence
• Exceptional communicator capable of communicating effectively within a multi-cultural and across functions as well as all levels
• Confident handling of SAP R/3 + S/4 and MS Office
• Independent and responsible way of working as well as a quick comprehension
• Advanced negotiating skills, assertiveness, goal- and result-oriented work
• Fluent in English (writing and speaking); German languages skills welcome
• Experience in project management

What we offer:

• The 13-th salary – Paid once a year, in December;
• Meal tickets - With a value of 40 Ron;
• Private Health Insurance – Health is the most important, so we offer you a medical subscription through Signal Iduna;
• Referral bonuses - We encourage colleagues to refer new candidates to us and, at the same time, to get the chance to receive a bonus;
• Bookster – Feed your body and your mind. You can borrow books and you’ll receive them at the office;
• Sports benefits- It’s important to stay active, so we offer you the 7Card;
• Discounts at our partners – We collaborate with different vendors, and we receive discounts for various products/ services like rubbers, restaurants, kindergartens, etc;
• System for Rewarding Improvement Ideas – We have an internal improvement program (Continental Idea Management) that gives you the opportunity to come up with ideas and to be honored with an attractive bonus (this is established by the CIM team according to your improvement idea);
• Happy days – If you or your child is getting married, or you become a parent, you receive some extra free days;
• Life events celebration - If your family is growing, we praise your newborn with a bonus;
• Unfortunate events - In case of unhappy events in your life, we support you by offering you free days and financial support (handled on a case by-case basis);
• Extra vacation days – You begin with 22 vacation days/year, and starting with the 3rd year with us, we offer you 1 more day of vacation and. We reward employees who reach 15 and 20 years within the company with another day of vacation, reaching a maximum of 29 days.
• Professional development - Many opportunities to develop yourself within the company;
• Diversity and multicultural mindset - We encourage you to join us no matter who, where, or what you are. We have colleagues from different nations and a variety of languages are spoken in our company.

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