About Chem-Trend
Chem-Trend, a company of the Freudenberg Group, is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and marketing of specialized release agents, purging compounds, paper impregnation chemicals, and other process chemical specialties and additives. With manufacturing and R & D operations in North and South America, Europe, India, and Asia, supported by its headquarters in Michigan, USA, Chem-Trend focuses on providing innovative solutions for the die casting, polyurethane, rubber, composites, tire, thermoplastic, wood composite, and paper impregnation industries.
Your Benefits
- Cafeteria/ Canteen: Fresh food on-site, both hot and cold.
- Sustainability & Social Commitment: Support for social and sustainable projects, with employee involvement encouraged.
- Personal Development: Various trainings offered to support career development.
- International Opportunities: Grow through international exchange and global job opportunities.
- Diversity & Inclusion: An inclusive environment where diversity is recognized as a contributor to success.
Location & Work Model
- Norderstedt
- Hybrid Work
Your Team
The purchasing team consists of five buyers responsible for sourcing direct and indirect materials, merchandise, and contract manufacturing, primarily for the Norderstedt production site.
Your Responsibilities
- Develop and implement structured product group strategies for raw materials and material groups in collaboration with stakeholders.
- Analyze procurement markets, price trends, and cost structures to develop appropriate strategies.
- Select international suppliers, conduct price and contract negotiations, and ensure a stable, reliable supply.
- Assess supply chain risks and develop mitigation measures.
- Optimize purchasing processes and ensure the quality of supplier master data using SAP MM.
- Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Development, and Supply Chain, and support cross-functional projects.
- Manage supply shortages by maintaining an overview, prioritizing materials, and coordinating with stakeholders.
- Undertake occasional travel within Europe (approx. 3 days per month).
Your Qualifications
- Extensive practical experience in strategic procurement of direct materials, ideally in the chemical, process, or manufacturing industries.
- Experience in developing and implementing material group or category strategies.
- Advanced SAP MM skills, ideally as an SAP Key User.
- Proficiency in market and cost analyses, and in deriving and implementing sourcing and cost-reduction measures.
- Confident negotiation skills and the ability to navigate corporate and matrix structures.
- Analytical and systematic approach with fact-based decision-making.
- Proactive, effective interface coordination, and targeted involvement of relevant departments.
- Fluency in German (C1 or higher) and English (B2 or higher).
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.