Eugen Schäfer

Lead Buyer - Group Procurement | Connectivity @ Volkswagen Group

About

Strategic Procurement Lead in the Volkswagen Group, focused on automotive electronics (Head Up Displays). I run complex sourcing and supplier agendas end to end, from market and cost analysis to global tenders, negotiations and shortage response. My style is pragmatic and data-driven: clear targets, clean commercial logic, and consistent execution across stakeholders. What I’ve delivered recently (since Apr 2023): - Category steering across product groups with ~€437M annual revenue scope - Annual budget planning and business planning responsibility for ~€93M purchasing volume - Built and executed savings roadmaps targeting ~6% year-over-year cost improvement - Led large-scale global tenders (TTO >€200M) - Took the lead on shortage and escalation management to protect supply continuity - Ongoing supplier performance management with >200 part numbers across 5 suppliers and 7 manufacturing sites, including onsite visits and senior reviews How I work: I connect the commercial view with what happens on the factory floor. That means asking the uncomfortable questions early, structuring decisions around facts, and keeping negotiations anchored in measurable levers: cost drivers, volume logic, risk exposure, and deliverability. I also enjoy building simple, robust frameworks that help teams move faster and make better decisions. Strengths and focus areas: - Strategic sourcing and global tender management - Negotiation and commercial governance - Cost optimization and budget ownership - Supplier performance and multi-site management - Shortage management and supply assurance - Cross-functional coordination in international environments Location: Berlin-based | Hybrid setup (Wolfsburg)

Country

Germany

City

Berlin

Industry

Automotive

Skill

Automotive Display Business, Head Up Displays, SAP-Produkte, Kostenreduzierung, Analytische Fähigkeiten, Entwicklung von Werbematerialien, Werbematerial, Produktdesign, Warengruppenmanagement, Strategische Beschaffung, Lieferantenentwicklung, Lieferantenbeziehungsmanagement, Englisch, Verhandlungsführung, Strategischer Einkauf, Global Sourcing, Produktmanagement, Produktentwicklung, Marktforschung, Merchandising

Experience

Lead Buyer - Group Procurement | Connectivity

Volkswagen Group

2023-4 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

Wolfsburg, Niedersachsen, Deutschland

Group-wide procurement responsibility for automotive electronics: Scope evolution: 2023 to 2025 Climate Control and Connectivity, since 2025 Head Up Displays. - Group-wide category steering for assigned product groups with ~€437M annual revenue scope - Annual budget planning incl. business plan responsibility for ~€93M purchasing volume - Defined and executed measures targeting ~6% year-over-year savings on purchasing volume - Developed and implemented global sourcing strategies for the product groups - Deputy to the team lead, taking on first functional leadership tasks and enabling team performance - Analyzed international procurement markets across price, quality, supply, substitution and economic indicators - Group lead for shortage and escalation management to secure supply in critical situations - Led negotiations for large-scale global tenders (TTO >€200M) - Continuous supplier performance management incl. onsite visits and governance routines - Planned and executed sourcing projects, coordinating internal departments and external partners - Monitored and controlled procurement costs to meet budget targets and deliver savings

Produktmanager

Volkswagen Accessories/Volkswagen Zubehoer

2019-4 - 2023-3 · 4 yrs

Wolfsburg, Niedersachsen, Deutschland

Product management for lifestyle and licensed collections, covering product strategy, requirements, and end-to-end lifecycle execution with strong focus on quality, cost and profitability. - Led development and lifecycle management of lifestyle collections, incl. updates and line expansions - Defined and executed product strategies and translated them into clear requirements for new developments and enhancements - Managed the end-to-end product development process, coordinating all sub-processes and stakeholders - Monitored quality and cost performance to ensure product quality and profitability across the portfolio - Generated new product ideas based on customer needs, market insights and trend and innovation screening - Created briefs and product requirement specifications and ensured on-time implementation of launches and updates

Einkauf / Produktmanagement

Wentronic

2014-7 - 2019-3 · 4 yrs 9 mos

Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, Deutschland

Buyer and product manager in consumer electronics, responsible for private label purchasing, brand and product strategy, portfolio development, and supplier development in national and international markets. - Managed purchasing for the private label Goobay across computer accessories, power supply products and tools - Developed suppliers and improved sourcing setup to support cost, quality and availability targets - Developed and executed brand and product strategies to drive growth and commercial performance - Managed and continuously developed the portfolio of the Swiss travel adapter brand SKROSS - Built and maintained national and international supplier relationships across the value chain - Conducted sourcing and supplier scouting in the Chinese market to expand the supplier base and capabilities