Challenge the Future With Us – Join Our Global Team
What do inhalers for medication administration, battery cups, and rechargeable batteries have in common? All of these are developed and produced by the companies of the Heitkamp & Thumann Group, which remains family-owned to this day. More precisely: our global team of 1,700 employees at 15 locations in nine countries does it. They continually set new standards in the field of precision-formed components and have made us a hidden champion that has firmly anchored innovation as a key pillar of its corporate culture. This has created an atmosphere where appreciation and respect, collaboration, and continuous development ensure that every individual can fully develop their potential and strengths.H&T Recharge is part of the Heitkamp & Thumann Group and a medium-sized manufacturer of metal components for rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and other applications with a strong growth plan in the USA and Europe.
This role is a key strategic hire within H&T Recharge's divisional growth strategy, tasked with identifying, building, and expanding our global supplier network — with a particular focus on South Korea — and based in Germany - preferably in NRW.
You will act as the bridge between the supply market and our production sites in Germany and the US, proactively sourcing new strategic suppliers and developing the existing supplier portfolio. That will strengthen HRS's supply chain resilience, cost position, and technology access.
Key Responsibilities
New Supplier Identification & Development
* Proactively identify, approach, evaluate, and qualify new strategic suppliers in aligned with HRS's technology roadmap, quality standards, and cost targets
* Build and maintain a pipeline of potential suppliers across relevant categories (materials, components, equipment)
* Represent H&T Recharge in supplier meetings, technical discussions, and negotiations
* Own the full Supplier Approval & Qualification process: NDAs, questionnaires, on-site audits (with SQA), contract negotiations and structured handover to local SCM
* Drive APQP/PPAP processes to ensure supplier readiness for series production
* Conduct market analyses and execute RFQs for strategic production materials and equipment
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
* Lead price negotiations and establish long-term supply agreements and commercial frameworks with global suppliers
* Drive annual supplier performance reviews (scorecards), define corrective actions, and follow up on implementation
* Develop and manage supplier development plans to continuously improve quality, delivery, and cost performance
Trade Compliance & Risk Management
* Monitor international trade regulations (US/EU import topics incl. CBAM, Korea-EU FTA, US tariff developments) and develop risk mitigation plans together with our trade affair specialists
* Participate in H&T Group wide strategic Supply Chain projects
Internal Collaboration & Escalation Support
* Serve as the primary interface between Global Suppliers and H&T Recharge production sites in Germany and the US
* Ensure early involvement of Strategic Purchasing and Suppliers in new product development processes
* Support escalation management and corrective action resolution
Your Profile
* Proven experience in strategic sourcing and global supplier development in an industrial/manufacturing environment
* Demonstrated track record of identifying and qualifying new suppliers in the Asia-Pacific region
* Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen
* Hands-on experience with APQP/PPAP and cross-functional supplier qualification processes
* Cross-cultural professional experience working across South Korea and Europe and/or the US
* Experience with trade compliance topics (CBAM, US import tariffs, Korea-EU FTA)
* Familiarity with SAP especially Global Purchase to Pay processes
* English: fluent or native (business-level), German would be nice
* Fluent Korean can be an advantage
IMPORTANT NOTE: A valid permanent working permit for EU is required. Orientation year visa / Sponsorship Visa are not sufficient to progress in the recruitment.