Category Manager (m/f/d)

About the Role at RobCo

At RobCo, we don’t just build robots, we are redefining the relationship between hardware and AI. Our end-to-end solutions seamlessly combine advanced, scalable industrial hardware with a central software suite powered by Physical AI to make manufacturing truly autonomous, efficient, and scalable. By delivering field-ready robotic solutions that just work, we empower industrial companies to automate without complexity and successfully solve the global labor shortage.

With locations in Munich and Austin, and backed by leading global investors such as Lightspeed, Lingotto Innovation, and Sequoia, we are redefining Autonomous Industrial Robotics.

At RobCo, we automate the ordinary, so humans can do the extraordinary. To achieve this, we are looking for an ambitious Category Manager (m/f/d) to help us establish RobCo as leading provider of automation solutions.

Your Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Category Strategy

• Define category strategies for hardware components

• Analyze markets and suppliers to identify savings and innovation

• Align with Engineering and Manufacturing on sourcing decisions

Supplier Management

• Build and develop the supplier base

• Negotiate agreements, pricing, and SLAs

• Review supplier performance and manage supply risks

Operational Procurement

• Ensure material availability across the production lifecycle

• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Logistics, and Production Planning

• Handle escalations for supply disruptions

Cost Management

• Own procurement budget and cost targets

• Conduct TCO analyses and market benchmarking

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support R&D, Engineering, and Product Management on component selection and NPI

• Contribute to commodity roadmaps and technology trends

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and export control regulations

• Maintain supplier data and contracts in ERP systems

We're looking for someone who has:

• Several years of experience in strategic procurement or category management, ideally in hardware, electronics, or manufacturing environments

• Proven track record in developing category strategies and managing complex supplier relationships

• Strong negotiation skills and experience with framework agreements and commercial terms

• Solid understanding of TCO analysis, cost benchmarking, and budget management

• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Engineering, R&D, and Product Management

• Confident use of ERP and procurement systems

• Analytical mindset, structured approach, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently

• Strong communication skills in German and English

• Why join RobCo?

• Develop modular, software-defined robotics solutions with us that set new standards in automation.

• Help us build robots equipped with state-of-the-art AI that perceive their environment, analyze data, and make intelligent decisions in real time.

• As part of a very dynamic and fast-growing scale-up, you will take on responsibility from day one, drive your own projects, and see the direct impact of your work.

• Flat hierarchies, open communication, and regular 360° feedback enable fast decisions and support your professional and personal development.

• Work out across Germany in over 7,200 studios with our subsidized Wellpass membership.

• Flexible working hours, a modern office, and—depending on the role—the option to work from home.

• Regular team events—from relaxed beer & pizza nights on the rooftop terrace to shared experiences on ski trips or at Oktoberfest.

About RobCo

RobCo was founded in 2020 in Munich and leads the transition toward fully Autonomous Industrial Robotics. Powered by cutting-edge Physical AI, our solutions seamlessly combine a scalable hardware architecture with intelligent software to eliminate operational complexity and solve the industrial labor shortage.

Through an innovative Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, RobCo empowers manufacturing enterprises to automate high-impact tasks while shifting heavy upfront CapEx into predictable, risk-free operating expenses. Today, our field-ready solutions safely and efficiently automate complex industrial workflows, such as machine tending, palletizing, dispensing, and welding.

RobCo is a fast-growing scale-up operating across Europe and the US, with dynamic teams in Munich, San Francisco, and Austin. Backed by premier global venture capital firms, including Lightspeed, Lingotto Innovation, and Sequoia, we offer an environment where builders, innovators, and thinkers can see the direct impact of their work every day.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

At RobCo, applicants are selected regardless of ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. All decisions throughout the recruitment process are based solely on applicants’ qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as relevant business requirements.