Regional Category Buyer

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. Target: Regional Category Buyer is responsible for defining and executing sourcing strategies for a specific category in specific regions, aiming to optimize cost, ensure supply reliability, and create value. The role focuses on supplier management, negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration while monitoring market trends and risks to support business objectives. This level manages regional sourcing activities and supplier portfolios within assigned categories, delivering cost optimization, supplier performance and risk mitigation through execution of category strategies, while ensuring alignment with business objectives, governance standards and continuous improvement initiatives Main tasks: Purchasing Strategy & Governance Adapts and executes global strategy within the region / define regional measures to execute global strategy Ensures compliance with global governance while considering local market dynamics Provides regional input into strategy development Category / Material & Supplier Portfolio Management Manages regional supplier base Support onboarding of suppliers aligned with global team Feeds market intelligence & supplier performance data back to global Leads supplier selection at regional level (if no global definition existing) Sourcing & Project Procurement & Project Management Executes regional sourcing events / RFQs Supports project based procurement events (on plant or program level) Ensures on-time delivery for regional projects is escalated by SCM Manage shortages Negotiation & Contract Management Executes local negotiations within defined supplier base Defines contract frameworks, T&Cs, and pricing models for defined supplier base, region or category Ensures adherence to global agreements Processes, Systems & Compliance Makes sure usage of defined process standards, tools, and system landscape Ensures compliance with corporate & regulatory requirements Drives the usage of digital procurement tools (ePos, purchasing suite, etc.) Cost Management & Continuous Improvement & Change Management Delivers regional savings targets Identifies local cost reduction opportunities Implements continuous improvement measures locally Risk, Supply & Escalation Management Monitors regional supply risks and disruptions Executes mitigation and escalation handling Acts as first escalation layer Coordination & Stakeholder Management Interfaces with local stakeholders (plants, operations, engineering, other stakeholders in the region) Ensures implementation of global decisions Provides regional feedback & escalation input Education/certification: Bachelor Degree or higher or adequate long term professional experience Professional experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in Purchasing or other relevant functions Project and process experience: proven experience in Purchasing functions and organisational principles; project management experience is a plus Very good communicative skills & team player High own initiative and ability to work independently acc. to target settings Intercultural and international experience: experienced in international cultures and business environment, worked in international Teams for minimum 3 years