Category Manager - Chemicals (m/f/d)

Field of Work: Procurement

Location:

Berlin, BE, DE

Legal Entity: KWS Berlin GmbH

Contract Type: Regular

Is Full Time?: Yes

Onsite/ Remote: Hybrid Working Within Country

Job ID: 16664

Category Manager – Chemicals | Drive Strategy. Create Value. Enable Innovation!

Be the procurement expert behind the agrochemicals that power seed treatments and enhancements, shaping global sourcing decisions with tangible business impact.

The Category Manager – Chemicals (m/f/d) serves as a global strategic procurement role within Global Business Operation (GBO) – Source-to-Pay (S2P) directly reporting to the Lead of Direct Procurement - without team leadership responsibilities.

The position focuses on agrochemical‐related procurement, especially for seed enhancements and treatments.

This is a full-time, permanent position at our Berlin-based entity – KWS Berlin GmbH .

Responsibilities:

• Create transparency on group-wide spend and manage agrochemical‐related purchasing
• Develop and align procurement strategies with BUs and global functions under total cost of ownership and supplier relationship management principles, ensuring compliance with legal and internal standards (e.g., Code of Ethics, ESG)
• Implement procurement initiatives across global matrix organizations
• Drive continuous improvements in processes and systems related to direct procurement
• Manage the full category, supplier lifecycle, contracts, and innovation pipeline
• Achieve productivity, cost-efficiency, and COGS optimization targets
• Serve as main contact for internal stakeholders and build strong supplier relationships
• Strengthen procurement tools and processes for both strategic and tactical work

Key tasks:

• Provide deep expertise in at least two agrochemical procurement areas (e.g., seed enhancements, seed treatments)
• Lead the full Strategic Sourcing (S2C) cycle: strategy development, negotiation, contracting, and handover
• Manage procurement across multiple BUs and functions
• Develop and align category strategies with key stakeholders up to C‐level
• Create templates and tools to improve category management efficiency
• Lead procurement-related projects and drive change initiatives
• Support budget planning processes and define key strategic projects
• Develop new concepts and support innovation (e.g., bio stimulants, generics, alternative treatments)

Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, business administration, economics or comparable
• Track record in procuring agrochemicals, chemicals or raw materials in a production environment
• Experience in strategic procurement - ideally in agricultural businesses
• IT literacy in relevant systems (SAP, Supplier Relationship Management Systems, MS Office) is an asset
• Analytical and excellent negotiating skills
• Networker with intercultural expertise and competency
• Experienced in working in complex matrix organizations in a global multi-cultural context
• Knows chemical market trends for seed treatments, price volatility and risk mitigation
• Strong stakeholder management skills and customer orientation
• Questioning the status-quo, being eager to develop own expertise in order to provide excellent service delivery
• Diligent and dead-driven driven
• Ability to initiate and to implement change sustainably
• Excellent communication skills paired with the ability to build sustainable rapport with key stakeholders
• Willing to travel
• Excellent command of English; additional languages skills are regarded an asset

Our Offer:

• Interesting and varied job in a diverse international environment with the opportunity to contribute innovative ideas
• As a family business, we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, vision and independence; this culture is lived in practice and ensures an open and friendly working atmosphere from day one
• Excellent work equipment and free car and bicycle parking spaces in our modern office in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg
• We create the appropriate framework conditions for you: capital-forming benefits, Christmas and holiday pay, childcare allowance, 30d holidays, flexible working hours, holiday and Christmas bonuses, company pension scheme, JobRad and/or Jobticket
• True to our motto "Make yourself grow", we support the professional and personal development of our employees

We are looking forward to receiving your application using our online application system SuccessFactors! Please click the “Apply” button which you can find in the online ad.

About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies and employs around 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries. With the tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for more than 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods and invests a significant amount in research and development.
At KWS, diversity is not just a value; it is an essential part of our success. Breeding resilient crops requires diversity; likewise, our strength comes from the diversity of our teams. Whatever your background or identity is, we invite you to join us.
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