Supplier Relationship Specialist

Job Description

Grace is hiring a Supplier Relationship Specialist (German speaking) with strong commercial relationship management and negotiation skills for industrial indirect sourcing. This role is critical in driving cost efficiencies, supplier performance, and value creation through effective sourcing strategies and stakeholder engagement across our EMEA sites. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of indirect categories such as MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations), PPE, tools, consumables, and facility services, combined with excellent negotiation and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing: Execute sourcing strategies developed by the Category Management team to optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships to ensure alignment with business goals and compliance standards.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations and contract development for initiatives each ranging up to $200k USD, with favorable terms and risk mitigation.
• Spend Analysis: Analyze spend data to identify savings opportunities, demand trends, and supplier consolidation options.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders across operations and engineering, in Germany, Sweden, and Spain, to understand requirements and deliver procurement solutions.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and reporting tools.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure adherence to procurement policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field (Masters or Supply Chain certification preferred).
• 3+ years of procurement experience, with a focus on industrial indirect materials.
• Strong English and German language skills, both written and verbal
• Proven track record of delivering commercial value through negotiated sourcing and supplier management, including conducting RFPs.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in procurement systems (e.g., SAP, SAC, Ariba, etc.) including PO creation (P2P), release and updating pricing info records and relevant data analysis and proficiency tools, i.e. Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels of the organization.

Benefits

• Premium Medical Insurance (Medicover)
• Life Insurance (for employee & family members)
• Reimbursement for glasses for computer work
• Sports Card (MULTISPORT)
• Language Courses