Direct Procurement Manager (m/f/d)

*You want to do more than manage purchase orders — you want to own category strategy, lead supplier negotiations, and directly impact the P&L? Then take ownership of direct materials sourcing for an international niche world leader.*

Salary: €90,000 – 120,000 / year, depending on experience | Permanent | Immediate start | Bexbach

Why join us?

• 🎯 Strategic ownership: you own your categories globally, not just execute someone else's sourcing plan
• 📊 Direct influence on P&L through savings, cost modeling, and supplier negotiations
• 🏭 Hands-on role combined with strategic scope — close to sites, not just headquarters theory
• 🏡 Hybrid working possible where travel and supplier meetings allow [please confirm extent]
• 🎉 28 days of vacation, plus Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve automatically off

About us – in brief

Headquartered in Bexbach, KD Pharma Group is a mid-sized, internationally active company and one of the world's few manufacturers of Omega-3 concentrates with a purity of up to 99.5% – built on a sole focus on Omega-3 fatty acid research and technology development.

Tasks

• Lead sourcing, negotiation, and contracting for direct materials (raw materials, packaging, components) to achieve savings, quality, and supply continuity
• Own assigned categories globally: develop sourcing strategies, benchmark markets, and drive competitive positioning
• Lead supplier business reviews and category meetings, ensuring alignment across Procurement, Technical, and Operations
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to enhance competitiveness and reduce supply risk
• Lead complex supplier negotiations leveraging cost breakdowns, volume leverage, and market trends
• Develop and execute negotiation playbooks with the Strategic Sourcing Specialist
• Manage long-term agreements, payment terms, and escalation clauses in line with group governance
• Build and maintain cost models, track raw material indices, and perform variance analysis
• Analyze supplier quotations, freight trends, and payment terms to determine total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Maintain and improve supplier relationships through structured performance reviews and scorecards
• Partner with QA/Technical teams to resolve non-conformances and ensure preventive actions
• Lead cross-functional alignment on material specifications, MOQ rationalization, and cost-saving projects
• Act as mentor and point of escalation for sourcing or supplier-related issues within the Procurement team

Requirements

Must-have

• Bachelor's degree and 5–10 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management in a manufacturing or regulated environment (pharma, nutraceutical, or chemical industry preferred)
• Proven expertise in negotiation and contract management for raw materials, packaging, and services
• Demonstrated experience in vendor qualification programs and supplier audits
• Strong analytical and financial skills (cost modeling, spend analysis, TCO evaluation)
• Strong understanding of cGMP and quality management requirements
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, NAV, Business Central) and advanced Excel/Power BI skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English

Nice-to-have

• Certifications such as CSCP, MCIPS, or equivalent
• Formal training in negotiation or strategic sourcing
• Excellent project management, planning, and organizational skills
• High level of initiative, autonomy, and accountability in delivering business results

Benefits

Your benefits

• A varied role in an innovative company with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths
• Hybrid working possible where travel and supplier meetings allow
• 28 days of vacation, plus Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve automatically off
• Individual career and development opportunities in an internationally operating company
• Competitive compensation with Christmas and vacation bonuses
• Company pension scheme
• Free water and coffee
• Company products at employee prices
• Regular team events

What happens next

📍 Bexbach | 📅 Immediate start | ⏳ Full-time

Send us your application, no need for a perfectly polished cover letter. We'll get back to you promptly. 🚀