Global Category Lead Buyer

Company Description

Join METRO Global Solution Center – where global impact meets innovation!  

At METRO GSC, we don’t just support the business – we shape it. As we expand our scope beyond accounting, we’re transforming central corporate functions for METRO.  

As a proud member of the METRO/MAKRO family, with over 86,000 employees across more than 30 countries – primarily in Europe and Asia – we create solutions that matter. Our diverse, international community thrives on collaboration, continuous growth, and making a measurable difference. If you’re ready to co-create the future of a truly global business – this is where your impact starts.  

Purpose of Job:  

Global Category Lead Buyer plays a key role in supporting the shaping as well as execution of procurement activities across specific sourcing categories. The role focuses on internal key stakeholder management with more than 20 METRO/MAKRO countries, managing global supplier relationships, analyzing and defining global category strategies, initiate/ conduct tenders together with country organizations, ensuring compliance with procurement policies, and contributing to the implementation of global processes as well as continuous improvement activities. Working closely with internal stakeholders on senior level, the Global Category Lead Buyer helps identify cost-saving opportunities, optimize demand specification and procurement processes as well as supplier performance.  

We are currently especially looking for motivated Procurement Specialist with multiple category experience - Supporting all METRO/MAKRO entities in procurement processes for selected categories such as Workwear, Travel, Fleet, Cleaning, Security etc. Relevant category Experience procurement experience as well as an analytical mindset in order to shape redesign METRO/MAKRO’s global procurement processes for selected categories is a must. We are looking for team players that want to be part of a dynamic global team in creating a powerful procurement practice at METRO.  

We offer the opportunity to be part of a newly established central Indirect Procurement organization with flat hierarchies, a very collegial working environment, and plenty of room for development.  

Job Description

• Design and execute sourcing strategies within selected categories such as Workwear, Travel, Fleet, Cleaning, Security etc. to optimize cost, standardize the demand, to avoid cost increases, optimize lead times, working capital, payment terms, and spend transparency 
• Collect and analyze spend and specification data to identify cost-saving opportunities, standardization potential as well as providing category insights, and support decision-making for senior leadership 
• As-is analytics of existing demand and specification, leading to demand harmonization proposals for senior leadership and driving/owning sourcing strategy roll-out through the all METRO/MAKRO entities  
• Initiating and executing a transparent tendering process, including sourcing for potential long list supplier, together with local and global category teams  
• Manage preparation and maintenance of Request for Information, Request for Quotes, and Request for Proposals through delivery and project completion in a complex environment of a global company with >30 countries and partly decentral set-up  
• Performing supplier evaluation, analysis, and qualification process  
• Monitor contract timelines, drive supplier negotiations, and ensure the implementation of centrally determined policies and framework agreements within assigned categories 
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to deliver high-quality services and products for a global supplier base 
• Support entities in negotiating supplier contracts and along with spot purchases and agreements as relevant 
• Establish and maintain proactive communication with internal stakeholders to identify cost saving opportunities 
• Establish and maintain proactive communication with relevant buyers for other categories to align category strategies and to ensure knowledge sharing. Proactively resolve issues relating to risk, schedule, total cost of ownership (TCO)  
• Ensure compliance with respective company policies, SOP Procurement as well as METRO Compliance Policies and support (educate) others on procurement policies and procedures 
• Support the vision and mission of the company and its procurement department  
• Development of an efficient and powerful supplier portfolio 
• Maintenance of a selected tool for conditions and contracts (SAP MDMS+) and ensure access from the entities 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with concentration in procurement, supply chain, engineering, business administration, and/or related fields, or analogue basic education with further training/education with corresponding level of knowledge  
• English skills at business level (written and spoken) is a must, any additional language is a big advantage (Spanish, French, Italian, Slavic Languages, Turkish).   
• Min 2-3 years of experience in sourcing/buying of indirect categories or related  
• Comprehensive knowledge of related indirect categories  
• Willingness and ability to design a category sourcing strategy as an outcome from intense as-is demand analysis with multiple different countries in scope  
• Deep market- and industry- knowledge, also beyond own subject area 
• Autonomous working behavior and willingness to "build" category work for Logistics at METRO/MAKRO  
• Professional in handling of MS-Office-applications, very quick comprehension of other IT programs  
• Readiness to travel for business purposes where needed 
• Excellent understanding of tender process and various tendering methods  

Additional Information

We provide:

• Stable employment in an international corporation that is constantly growing
• Opportunity to contribute to global projects that have a real impact across the entire organization
• Work in a diverse, multicultural and engaged team
• The chance to expand your knowledge and gain experience in various areas
• Private medical care and group insurance, also available for family members
• Cash benefits as part of the Social Benefits Fund, e.g., a Christmas allowance
• Co-financed sports card
• Team and company integration events after hours
• Hybrid work
• Workplace based in Warsaw, Poland