Strategic Buyer Direct Materials (Wood) f/m/d
Our common goal
You will assume strategic responsibility for the wood category as well as selected additional direct material categories and make an important contribution to the long-term competitiveness of our value chain. In an international procurement environment, you will develop global supplier strategies, identify new sourcing markets, and shape resilient partnerships throughout our supply chain. Through your material expertise, commercial acumen, and international perspective, you will contribute to the further development of procurement at Vitra.
Your impact in the role
- Develop and implement international sourcing and supplier strategies for wood as well as other direct material categories
- Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers worldwide, with a particular focus on high-performing and sustainable sourcing markets
- Manage and negotiate commercial framework conditions, including pricing structures, contract models, MOQ concepts, and cost mechanisms
- Build cost transparency through market analyses, benchmarking, and fact-based negotiations to actively manage material costs
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders in production, materials planning, quality, and product development to ensure a reliable supply
- Manage complex supplier relationships and escalations related to cost, quality, or delivery performance issues
- Support initiatives to strengthen resilience, minimize risks, and enhance sustainability and transparency within the supply chain
How you can convince
- Several years of professional experience in strategic procurement of direct materials within an international manufacturing or industrial environment
- Extensive expertise in wood and wood-based materials, as well as other materials such as fabrics and upholstery materials, metals, and plastics, combined with a strong technical understanding of material and manufacturing processes
- Proven experience in international supplier development and in building global sourcing networks
- Strong commercial understanding and experience with cost structures, pricing mechanisms, and complex contract negotiations
- Analytical, structured, and pragmatic working style combined with a confident presence when interacting with internal and external stakeholders
- Digital affinity and experience with ERP and analytical tools such as SAP, Excel, and Power BI
- Business-fluent German and English language skills; additional languages are an advantage
- Willingness to travel internationally and enjoy working with different cultures and markets
Enjoy working at Vitra
- We offer a dynamic, creative, and innovative environment and pursue a sustainable corporate strategy
- Office design is our specialty - our work environment offers space for creativity including areas for focus time
- Experience an inspiring campus with unique cultural offerings and a dedicated employee garden
- Welcome to Vitra - our orientation and welcome program
- We promote lifelong learning through our internal academy and target group-oriented talent management programs
- "How to work better" - our concept for the hybrid working world - enables mobile working in different facets
- We promote sustainable commuting. This includes the "Jobrad" and e-charging stations on campus
- Choose an additional, individual benefit - in the area of fitness offers, the "Deutschlandticket", a subsidy for our canteen or childcare or an annual health budget
- Benefit from attractive discounts on products from Vitra and Artek
Do you still have doubts?
You do not bring all the qualifications listed?
Don't be discouraged: We are convinced that with an eager-to-learn, open-minded attitude, mountains can be moved.
So, apply anyway and show us why you are the right person for this position.
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities and living diversity. Your personality and expertise are the only factors that determine your suitability.
Please note that we cannot accept applications via E-mail but kindly aks you to send it via our job portal. If you have any questions, Bastian Brokatzky, bastian.brokatzky@vitra.com, will be happy to support.
