Head of Global Procurement & Planning (m/f/d)
We are supporting a mid-sized, international industrial manufacturing group in identifying a Head of Global Procurement & Planning. This is a high-impact leadership role with a unique mandate: to build and shape global procurement and planning capabilities from the ground up.
You will operate at the intersection of strategy and execution, acting as a hands-on leader who drives tangible business results while establishing scalable structures, processes, and best practices.
Your Mission
As Head of Global Procurement & Planning, you will take ownership of developing a modern procurement function and implementing a pragmatic Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) framework. You will play a key role in strengthening supplier performance, improving cost competitiveness, and enabling reliable, scalable growth across the organization.
Ihre Aufgaben
Build and Lead Procurement & Category Management
- Establish and implement a global category management framework
- Define key spend categories and drive strategic sourcing initiatives
- Lead supplier negotiations and contracting activities
- Deliver measurable cost savings and total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements
- Develop procurement governance, policies, and processes
Develop Supplier Base & Supplier Management
- Implement a structured Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) approach
- Drive supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, and compliance
- Build strong partnerships with strategic suppliers
- Introduce supplier evaluation, audit, and risk mitigation practices
Establish and Drive S&OP
- Design and implement a fit-for-purpose S&OP process
- Align sales forecasts, production capacity, and procurement planning
- Translate demand into actionable supply plans
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Production, Finance, and Engineering
- Introduce pragmatic planning tools, KPIs, and decision frameworks
Operational Procurement & Supply Chain Support
- Maintain hands-on involvement in daily procurement activities
- Ensure delivery reliability, quality, and cost efficiency
- Support resolution of supply disruptions and operational challenges
Process Development, Tools & KPIs
- Develop simple, effective processes across procurement and planning
- Define and track KPIs (cost savings, supplier performance, delivery precision, inventory)
- Ensure alignment with ERP/MRP systems and improve data-driven decision-making
Leadership & Capability Building
- Build and develop a high-performing procurement and planning function
- Act as a hands-on leader, coach, and change agent
- Drive continuous improvement and best practice implementation
- Influence stakeholders across functions in an international environment
Ihr Profil
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field
- 7–15 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain
- Proven track record in supplier negotiations and sourcing
- Experience with S&OP or similar planning processes (implementation experience is a strong plus)
- Background in manufacturing, machinery, or industrial environments
- Strong commercial mindset combined with operational execution capability
- Ability to build structures from scratch in a pragmatic and hands-on way
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- High level of ownership, drive, and solution-oriented thinking
Unser Kunde bietet
- Opportunity to build a global procurement and planning function from the ground up
- High visibility and direct impact on business performance
- Combination of strategic influence and operational responsibility
- International environment with strong growth ambitions
Interessiert?
If you are a hands-on leader who thrives in building structures, driving change, and delivering measurable impact within an industrial environment, we look forward to connecting with you.
Jana Baughman
jana.baughman@talent-net.org
+49 176 24 99 6111
www.talent-net.org
