Senior Manager / Associate Director Purchasing (m/f/d)

About Mutares:

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, (www.mutares.com), specializes in acquiring medium-sized companies and corporate carve-outs that are divested as part of a strategic repositioning by their owners. With a clear focus on businesses that offer significant potential for operational improvement, Mutares targets companies generating annual revenues between USD 120 million and USD 850 million. Mutares actively supports and develops its portfolio companies through hands-on involvement from its own investment and consulting teams, and accelerates growth further through strategic add-on acquisitions. The aim is to achieve a clear value increase with a focus on sustainable, long-term growth of the portfolio company.

As we continue to grow and broaden our footprint, we are expanding our Operations Team in the greater Chicago area. We are seeking an experienced professional with a proven track record in Purchasing - someone who embraces continuous improvement and brings an entrepreneurial mindset.

This role involves on-site work at portfolio companies located across US territory.

Your Tasks:

• Responsible for procurement activities and their corresponding strategic and operational development within the portfolio company
• Lead the assigned portfolio team technically and disciplinarily according to clearly defined goals
• Conduct price and value analysis and make or buy decisions
• Identify opportunities across all external spend, map to improve the internal purchasing processes by generating tangible benefits to the company’s overall financial situation
• Work closely with the Mutares Purchasing team to leverage any synergies across the wider portfolio

Your Profile:

• Successfully completed a degree in business, economics or a comparable field of studies
• At least 7 years of experience in leading procurement improvement programs for manufacturing companies as well as knowledge of end-to-end purchasing processes
• Skillful negotiator with entrepreneurially oriented leadership combined with success-oriented, dynamic working method and problem-solving abilities
• Business fluency in English with the ability to communicate in a well-structured and concise manner, another language is a plus
• Willingness to travel 4 days per week (typ. Mon-Thu)

What Mutares offers:

• Work in a highly motivated, international, committed, and agile team that enjoys working together
• Exciting work environment with varied challenges, strategic influence, and tasks for continuous personal and professional development
• Flat hierarchies, fast decision-making processes, and room for your own ideas
• Regular team events and offsites