Senior Category Manager – Mechanical Components, PV Mounting Substructures & Injection Molding

Role Overview

• As (Senior) Category Manager for mechanical components, you will be responsible for two technically demanding categories: mounting substructures for PV systems and plastic components produced by injection molding
• You understand manufacturing processes and material cost structures and use this knowledge to challenge suppliers effectively and drive systematic cost-down programs
• End-to-end ownership of the product categories: PV mounting substructures (mounting systems, rails, fastening hardware) and injection-molded plastic components
• Develop and implement a robust supplier strategy; build a resilient, competitive supplier network in Europe and beyond
• Conduct complex annual price negotiations and develop and manage ambitious, structured cost-down programs
• Solid technical understanding of mechanical manufacturing processes (aluminum extrusion, stamping, injection molding) as the basis for credible cost analyses and negotiations
• Perform should-costing; implement Design-to-Cost (DTC) and Design-to-Value (DTV) methods from early development stages
• Structured hypothesis-driven analysis: break down cost structures systematically, identify levers and quantify savings — using Excel and other analysis tools
• Identify savings opportunities through material substitution, manufacturing optimization and specification adjustments in close coordination with engineering
• Analyze and build scalable procurement processes to support rapidly growing installation volumes
• Standardize workflows in ERP and procurement systems and drive digitalization projects
• Manage the categories with KPIs and robust, data-driven reporting; collaborate closely with Product, Assembly Operations, Logistics and Finance
• Act as a strategic point of contact for all relevant stakeholders; actively transfer knowledge and promote best practices within the team

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or a related field
• Several years of experience in strategic procurement of mechanical components, ideally in metalworking, mounting systems or plastics technology — or demonstrable strong technical understanding of mechanical manufacturing processes combined with procurement experience in related product areas
• Experience conducting annual negotiations and developing and implementing ambitious cost-down programs
• Hands-on experience with Design-to-Cost / Design-to-Value methodologies, should-costing and technical cost analysis for mechanical assemblies
• Strong analytical skills: work in a structured, hypothesis-driven way, quantify savings potential and communicate results clearly — very good Excel (Google Sheets) skills are expected
• Excellent communication skills, assertive and persuasive when dealing with stakeholders at all levels
• Business-fluent German and English (negotiation-level proficiency)
• Experience with ERP systems and modern procurement tools

Tech Stack

• ERP

Benefits

• Work from our brand-new offices in Hamburg city center, Berlin and Munich and/or remotely
• Use your technical equipment outside of work in your free time
• Join a fast-growing company with significant development potential, where you can build things independently and see your impact
• Operate in flat hierarchies, take responsibility early during onboarding and work directly with parts of the management team
• With your work you support the megatrend of the energy and mobility transition and make a tangible contribution to the sustainable transformation of our energy infrastructure
• Stay active with access to over 7,600 sports partners through the EGYM Wellpass
• Stay flexible and eco-friendly with company bike leasing (JobRad) — choose between city bikes and e-bikes
• Benefit from perks and discounts via Futurebens