Head of Direct Procurement (all genders)

About tonies:

tonies is the globally leading interactive audio platform for children with more than 10 million Tonieboxes and 125 million Tonies sold. The intuitive and award-winning audio system has changed the way young children play and learn independently with its child-safe, wireless, and screen-free approach. Tonieboxes have been activated in over 100 countries, the content portfolio includes around 1,400 Tonies in several languages. Since its inception, tonies has achieved significant milestones, including listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November 2021 as well as a globally present team of over 550 dedicated professionals operating from various countries.

Joining our tonies team means being part of an inspiring mission to create innovative and meaningful experiences for children around the world. Together, we’re shaping the future of play, learning, and imagination.

You as part of tonies:

As the Head of Direct Procurement (all genders), you own the Direct Procurement function at tonies® and shape how we source, negotiate, and build the supplier partnerships behind every physical product we bring to market. You lead our Direct Procurement team in Germany, coordinate closely with our Sourcing Hub in Asia, and act as deputy to the Director Global Procurement.

You translate corporate strategy into global Procurement strategies, priorities and execution plans, and you own strategic sourcing decisions, supplier selections and commercial negotiations for global product development programs. By balancing cost, suppliers' innovation strength, and cross-functional validation of supplier performance, you build and continuously optimise a resilient global supplier network that supports our long-term growth.

In this role, you are a key partner to Engineering, Product, Global Production, Finance, Quality and Global Supply Chain, and you represent Procurement in executive steering committees for strategic supplier, sourcing and new product development decisions.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Functional Ownership: Own the global Direct Procurement function, defining and continuously evolving its operating model, governance, policies, processes and strategic direction across regions.
• Strategy Translation: Translate corporate strategy and business objectives into global Procurement strategies, priorities, roadmaps and execution plans.
• Sourcing & Resilience Strategy: Develop, execute and continuously adapt global sourcing, supplier and resilience strategies that balance cost, innovation, quality, production efficiency and supply risk.
• Strategic Project Leadership: Lead strategic global projects, such as onboarding new device suppliers and new product development initiatives.
• Organizational Transformation: Drive organizational transformation and continuous improvement to increase Procurement effectiveness, resilience and operational excellence globally.
• Team & Budget Accountability: Lead the German Direct Procurement team and own its performance, budget and organizational setup, while driving global alignment on Direct Procurement KPIs and governance together with the Asia Sourcing Hub.
• Global Alignment & Representation: Serve as functional owner for strategic Procurement decisions, ensuring consistent governance and standards across HQ, the Asia Sourcing Hub and local markets, and represent Procurement in executive steering committees.
• Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership: Foster alignment across Engineering, Product, Global Production, Finance, Quality and Global Supply Chain, and report to senior leadership and Executive Management on strategic sourcing and investment decisions.
• Deputy Leadership: Act as deputy for the Director Global Procurement in case of vacation or absence, and lead, develop and coach Procurement professionals within Direct Procurement.

What we are looking for:

• Industry Expertise: Minimum 10+ years of experience in strategic procurement, category management, or global sourcing, with deep knowledge of international supply markets, supplier dynamics, and cost structures in Consumer Electronics, Consumer Goods, or Manufacturing.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven track record of defining global procurement strategy, leading organizational transformation, and directing cross-functional, international teams in complex environments.
• Sourcing & Resilience: Demonstrated success in developing global sourcing and supply chain resilience strategies, including managing end-to-end RfQ processes, supplier onboarding, and multi-regional project management.
• Executive Alignment & Execution: Strategic thinker with a hands-on execution approach, experienced in reporting to executive stakeholders to align priorities and drive cross-functional decision-making.
• Education: Degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Languages: Full professional fluency in both English and German is required.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel globally (approximately 20–30%).

Why tonies?

• Global Teamwork: We collaborate across departmental and country borders on our vision to bring the Toniebox into every child's room in the world.
• Come as you are: This applies not only to the dress code but also to everything else. Because only where you truly feel comfortable can you give your best.
• Mobility: Choose the option that suits you best - a Deutschlandticket (public transport ticket) for unlimited mobility, a monthly contribution for an office parking space, a leasing bicycle, or a remote work subsidy.
• Enhanced Security: Benefit from subsidies for company pension plans, occupational pension schemes, and occupational disability insurance.
• Rest & Time Off: Enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave as well as three additional days off such as Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. After one year of employment, you can also use up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave days).
• Continuous Learning: Benefit from our internal and external training opportunities as well as an individual learning budget to continuously expand your knowledge.
• Language Learning & Relaxation: Improve your communication skills with the language learning app Babbel and find relaxation through our access to the meditation app Calm.
• Discounts: Benefit from attractive discounts on our entire range of tonies products.

Good to know:

As part of our principles, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity at tonies. We actively celebrate our colleagues’ different abilities, ethnicities, faiths and genders. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sabine Schykowski
Talent Acquisition Manager