Edgewell is a global team of over 6,000 visionaries, doers and makers. Our secret is people, and we have an inspiring and collaborative global force of them. Our portfolio of over 25 brands touches lives in more than 50 countries by making useful things joyful. Together, we reimagine good mornings and endless summers, strive for more sustainable ways to beautify and bond, and do it all with not only confidence but determination.

Category Leader

Solingen, Germany, Hybrid Working

Permanent, attractive salary & benefits

Let's Talk About You

You’re ambitious, but you want a career with purpose - we love that. You’re up for a challenge and ready to write the next chapter of your career story with a great group of encouraging colleagues. You want to make your mark and let your personality shine. Well, if you’re interested in our Category Lead role, this might be your next step! We are looking for someone with Procurement and Category experience to join Edgewell Personal Care – a global consumer goods business with a portfolio of over 25 brands (Wilkinson Sword, Intuition, Hawaiian Tropic, Bulldog Skincare for Men, Wet Ones and Cremo Grooming… just to name a few!).

Now, Let’s Get Down to Business

Reporting to the Procurement Manager Germany, you’ll be responsible for the procurement and management for defined Categories for our European production and logistic sites. The exchange with other global Edgewell Personal Care (EPC) sites to coordinate the global strategy and demands is also part of this function.

Leads in creating strategic category plans, business continuity procedures, service level management, step change in cost optimization and innovation. Assures that all suppliers are selected, certified and are managed in accordance with the Corporate and Procurement guidelines.

Create breakthrough, strategic operational capabilities that drive business outcomes that can result in real marketplace differentiation and competitive advantage.

Here’s a sample of what you’ll get up to:

• Support the creation, development and execution of category management strategies and activities with a focus on warehouse and distribution services.
• Responsible for selection and management of supplier base for area of responsibility including sourcing, marketplace trends, supplier agility, quality parameters, cost reductions, new product initiatives, supplier performance, and other relevant supplier relationship management activities.
• Identifies all program level risks, issues and mitigation plans communicating / escalating all relevant items to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Responsible for the negotiation on the Total Cost of Ownership, product / service quality. Carrying out market analyses and benchmarks to identify and realize potential savings.
• Oversees the development and execution of sourcing strategies inside managed categories including the developing the plan to meet targets, managing to timelines and developing resource plans while maximizing effect spend under management
• Responsible for developing long term strategic supplier direction; potential sourcing alternatives; coordinate new product / service activities and alternatives with Logistics, Production, Engineering, etc.
• Responsible for preparation of Purchasing inputs to the annual Plan of Purchase and providing input to cost accounting budgeting processes.
• Be a driving force, inspiration and coordinator for continuous process improvements; help identify opportunities to increase efficiency and eliminate non-value add activities
• Close cooperation with internal departments such as logistics, production and finance as well as regular reporting to management.
• Develops relationships with senior executives from key suppliers and engages them in strategic supplier management for value creation and innovation.
• Negotiation and conclusion of master service level agreements (MSAs), taking into account legal and business requirements

Are You Ready to Show Us What You’ve Got?

Ideally you will have Procurement or Logistics experience gained within a commercial or consumer goods company. While your experience is of course important, we’re all about making useful things joyful, so we love when our prospective candidates are passionate about this too.

Here’s what we are looking for:

• Minimum commercial apprenticeship including graduation in business administration from chamber of commerce (Betriebswirt IHK) OR Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain
• Solid experience, significant experience in procurement, logistics or related field.
• Understanding of basic principles of accounting and business/contract law.
• Demonstrated experience in developing business requirements, category analysis and design, develop and administer appropriate vendor acquisition tools (RFQ/ RFP).
• Demonstrated experience in establishing competent and agreed upon measurement mechanisms to ensure the ongoing success of projects
• Proven track record in delivery of complex procurement initiatives on time and on budget
• Strong proven analytical skills
• Extremely strong teamwork and facilitation skills to work with other company departments to plan and execute on strategic sourcing strategies.
• Outstanding negotiation and sourcing skills with proven ability to lead key stakeholders and team members through category wide Request for Proposals (RFPs) and strategic vendor selection processes.
• Strong Management and Interpersonal skills to include: oral and written communication skills, ability to motivate others and facilitate team building between business stakeholders.
• Results oriented, demonstrate success in leading project teams to achieving quantifiable savings by applying sourcing methods.
• Business level German and English is a must.

What We Offer

Competitive salary, flexi / core working hours with hybrid working possible (2-3 days in the office), 30 days annual leave, company pension /occupational pension fund, accident insurance, Machtfit health mgmt program incl. leasing bike opportunity, onsite gym, employee assistance programme, Corporate Benefits platform, onsite restaurant incl. subsidised meals, discounted Edgewell branded products, free beverages, free parking onsite, casual smart dress code and a great boss!

Now Take the Next Step

If you’re looking forward to progressing your career with us, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you. Please email an up to date CV in English along with your salary expectations. Alternatively, feel free to pass onto your teammates who may be interested.

#INT

Edgewell is an equal opportunity employer. We do all we can to create a collaborative and diverse global team, where good ideas can thrive, and our colleagues can learn and lead. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. We listen deeply and speak directly to create an environment that’s open to difference. We aim to bring joy to not only the products we create and the people we serve, but our colleagues across the globe too.