Category Manager Paper (f/m/d)

Are you ready to make an impact on a global stage? Step into an exciting role with Bauer Media Group's innovative procurement team! Our dynamic team of 27 professionals across Germany, the UK, and Poland is dedicated to reshaping procurement strategies and driving significant cost savings. As we continue to expand, we're excited to bring on new talent in 2024 and 2025 to support our ambitious growth and procurement transformation goals. 

As the Category Manager - Paper Procurement, you will be a key architect in crafting and executing sourcing strategies for critical paper categories: gravure, offset, and newsprint. This is your opportunity to not only ensure a secure supply chain but also to identify impactful cost-saving measures, drive process optimization, and create synergies across Bauer Media Group. 

In this high-impact role, you’ll lead contract negotiations, build and strengthen vendor relationships, and collaborate with cross-functional teams and our own production facilities to advance our procurement goals. By leveraging market insights and conducting strategic analysis, you’ll champion quality, efficiency, and compliance throughout all paper procurement initiatives. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Strategic Sourcing: Develop and implement sourcing strategies for key paper categories to ensure optimal cost savings and secure supply. 
• Vendor Management: Manage and cultivate relationships with suppliers, overseeing negotiations, performance metrics, and compliance. 
• Cost Optimization: Identify and execute cost-saving initiatives like bulk purchasing and vendr consolidation to maximize efficiency. 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal teams (e.g., printing plants, finance, BA Publishing) to align category strategies with organizational goals. 
• Market Analysis: Conduct research and analyze trends to support data-driven sourcing decisions and strengthen supplier partnerships. 
• Contract Management: Draft, review, and finalize contracts, ensuring they meet legal and regulatory requirements. 

What you bring along:  

• Work Experience: At least 7 years in paper procurement, supply chain, or strategic sourcing within an international context. 
• Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. 
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical, strategic thinking with a high attention to detail. 
• Strong Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate and negotiate effectively across cultures and organizational levels. 
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and positively influence stakeholders. 
• Language: Full proficiency in English and German is required 

We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online publishing to audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media related sectors. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. But not only that. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people‘s everyday lives.

We want to inspire not only our customers, we also want to inspire our colleagues. How? By giving you the opportunity to take on responsibility and by offering you a long-term perspective.

You can also benefit from our attractive offers:

• Individual solutions for the flexible organisation of working hours and location
• Targeted and individual training for your professional and personal development
• A central location in Hamburg's city centre with good transport options (bus & train)
• Subsidy for Deutschlandticket & bike leasing
• Effective health management (e.g. health week, free sports programmes & Wellhub)
• 30 days of holiday & frequent events for employees
• Company restaurant, free magazines & various discounts via corporate benefits
• A culture in which personal responsibility, teamwork and creativity are valued and you have room for creativity and for exciting and challenging tasks

If you are looking for an independent position and would like to enrich our existing team with fresh impulses, we look forward to receiving your complete application documents.

We are an international employer and equal opportunities are important to us. That's why we welcome everyone in their uniqueness, regardless of e.g. religion, gender, skin color, disability in our house.