Regional Category Buyer

About the role

We are looking for a Regional Category Buyer to join our Performance Materials team in Wyandotte, MI. In this role, you will develop and execute regional sourcing strategies for attachment parts, tooling, tolling, and related indirect materials across North America. You will collaborate with suppliers, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and global procurement teams to ensure a competitive, resilient, and innovative supply base that supports business growth. As a key contributor to our global procurement organization, you will drive value creation through supplier development, strategic sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations, cost optimization, and market intelligence activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional sourcing and category strategies aligned with global procurement strategy.
• Lead supplier selection processes, competitive bidding events, and contract negotiations for attachment parts, tooling, tolling, and related categories.
• Negotiate commercial agreements to achieve cost savings, supply security, and operational excellence.
• Manage supplier relationships and drive supplier performance improvements through effective Supplier Relationship Management (SRM).
• Identify and qualify new suppliers while supporting localization and diversification initiatives within the North American supply base.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and value engineering teams to evaluate supplier capabilities, manufacturing technologies, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Monitor market trends, supplier developments, and industry intelligence to proactively identify risks and opportunities.
• Track procurement KPIs and deliver measurable value through cost reduction, margin improvement, and process optimization initiatives.
• Support procurement compliance requirements, contract administration, and implementation of BASF procurement processes and systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and strategic procurement projects within the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Several years of procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or category management experience within manufacturing, automotive, or industrial environments.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, die casting, machining, or related technologies is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross-functional and international business environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with ERP or procurement systems.
• Fluency in English.
• Additional language skills such as German are considered a plus.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to the BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more