Raw Material Lead Buyer and Category Manager

About us:

Leveraging its deep expertise as the global leader in catalysis and precious metals, BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) serves customers in many industries including automotive, aerospace, indoor air quality, semiconductors and hydrogen economy, and provides full loop services with its precious metals trading and recycling offering. With a focus on circular solutions and sustainability, ECMS is committed to helping our customers create a cleaner, more sustainable world. Protecting our elements of life is our purpose and this inspires us to ever-new solutions. ECMS operates globally in 15 countries with approximately 20 production sites and over 4,000 employees.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and develop procurement strategy and execution for the assign Raw material categories, ensuring uninterrupted and cost-effective supply for ECMS operations  and coordinating globally with procurement team members and stakeholders.
• Provide functional leadership to all regional buyers regarding the assigned categories. Partner with particularly the EMEA Regional Buyer on Raw Material topics and drive procurement excellence
• Foster collaboration with the technical procurement managers to integrate category strategy with Raw material Road Maps and value generation.
• Develop and implement negotiation targets and lead high-stakes negotiations to secure competitive advantages for ECMS.
• Drive value creation through advanced analytics, spend analysis, auctioning, and strategic supplier engagement.
• Manage key supplier relationships, including performance monitoring, innovation assessment, sustainability ratings, dispute resolution, and market intelligence.
• Conduct industry research and provide insights to inform procurement decisions and support ECMS’s mid and long-term operational goals.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks, including single and sole sourcing scenarios, through proactive contingency planning.
• Support purchase order processing and resolve requisitioner issues as needed.
• Provide guidance to site buyers across the region and contribute to strategic procurement projects prioritized by the ECMS team.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business or Science required; an advanced degree is a plus
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in any combination of Procurement (direct procurement preferred), Supply Chain,  Marketing, Sales  or Catalyst technology. Prior experience in Rare Earth markets and application of Rare Earth Oxides in catalysts a plus.
• Strong negotiation skills, experience leading cross-functional teams, contracts, strategy development, Team orientation desired
• Proven ability to manage relationships with internal and external partners /stakeholders on all levels
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving skills, ability to influence others, taking responsibility and ownership
• Proficiency in English a must

What we offer:

• We stand out with non-standard benefits: EAP Employee Assistance Program, VIP medical care, Lunch Pass card.

• You will also find: free insurance packages, co-financing of the MultiSport card, development programs and a number of free on-line courses.

• You can count on: gaining experience in a leading chemical company in the world, Work Life Balance, the possibility of using remote work.

• At work, our values are important to us: live integrity, encourage curiosity, appreciate people, deliver results.