Category Manager - Consulting Services (m/f/d)

For KWS Berlin GmbH, we are looking for a full-time permanent Category Manager Consulting Services (m/f/d) in Berlin who will be responsible for developing and implementing global sourcing strategies for Consulting and Professional Services. As a strategic business partner to corporate functions and business units, the role ensures value-driven procurement decisions, optimizes external consulting spend, strengthens supplier management, and supports the organization in selecting the right external capabilities and commercial models.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global category strategies for Consulting and Professional Services in alignment with KWS business priorities and functional requirements.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing activities, including demand assessment, market analysis, sourcing strategy development, supplier selection, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Manage procurement activities across relevant consulting areas, including management and strategy consulting, business transformation, finance, HR, legal and other professional services.
• Develop and negotiate effective commercial and engagement models, including project-based fees, time & material models, retainers, and outcome-based approaches where appropriate.
• Act as a trusted advisor and sparring partner to internal stakeholders, challenging requirements where appropriate and translating business needs into effective sourcing and supplier strategies.
• Build, manage, and continuously develop strategic relationships with key consulting firms and professional service providers.
• Drive supplier consolidation, preferred supplier approaches, demand optimization, and spend transparency to maximize value and reduce unnecessary external spend.
• Ensure competitive tension and commercial transparency through structured sourcing processes, benchmarking, and negotiation.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, legal requirements, data privacy regulations, and internal governance frameworks.
• Identify and realize cost-saving and value-creation opportunities while ensuring access to the right expertise, quality, flexibility, and business continuity.
• Lead procurement projects and change initiatives in a global matrix organization.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Several years of experience in strategic procurement, ideally with a strong focus on Consulting, Professional Services, or other indirect procurement categories.
• Proven expertise in sourcing consulting and professional services, including complex tendering, commercial negotiations, supplier selection, and contract management.
• Strong understanding of different consulting engagement and pricing models, combined with the ability to evaluate commercial proposals and challenge cost structures.
• Strong experience in supplier relationship management and stakeholder management within international environments.
• Ability to understand complex business requirements and translate them into effective sourcing strategies and commercial solutions.
• Knowledge of procurement and ERP systems, ideally SAP and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) solutions.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken. Additional languages, particularly German, are an advantage.

Competencies

• Strong strategic, commercial, and analytical mindset.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong business acumen and ability to challenge requirements constructively.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex global matrix organizations.
• Strong stakeholder and change management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills across all organizational levels, including senior leadership.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and able to work independently with a high degree of ownership.
• Collaborative team player with a strong customer and service orientation.

Benefits

• We are an international team of open-minded people with diverse and cross-functional experience
• Interesting and challenging tasks and projects
• As a family business, we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, vision and independence; this culture is lived in practice and ensures an open and friendly working atmosphere from day one
• The best of both worlds: KWS Berlin combines the security of a large, stable company with the passion of a start-up
• Our location in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg is very modern; directly opposite the underground station Bülowstraße and with secured car & bicycle parking spaces
• We offer 30d holidays, flexible working hours, holiday and Christmas bonuses, company pension scheme, JobRad and/or Jobticket
• True to our motto "Make yourself grow", we support the professional and personal development of our employees
• Interested?Then submit your application via our online application system SuccessFactors! Please click the “Apply” button.