Category Buyer

YOU & AHEAD
Are you passionate about creating product ranges that delight consumers and set new standards in the market? As our
Category Buyer (All Genders)
at ahead, you'll take the lead in shaping and growing our product categories from concept to phase-out. You'll collaborate closely with Product Development, Operations, Finance, and the Campaigns team to guide the entire product lifecycle. Your mission: to build a product range that excites customers, drives strong business performance, and makes "low sugar" the new standard.

Join #teamahead and help craft products that consumers love, making a tangible impact on the business and the future of our brand

YOUR TASKS

• Category Strategy and Expansion

• Develop and implement category strategies with a focus on growth, margin and differentiation

• Identify consumer trends and market opportunities and develop business cases for new formats

• Manage the assortment structure and pack-price architecture

• Supplier Discovery and Management

• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers for ingredients, packaging and co-manufacturing

• Conduct structured RFQs and RFPs and ensure quality, delivery reliability and compliance

• Build a resilient supplier network with primary and secondary sources

• New Product Development Leadership

• Co-lead the NPD process from idea to launch including timeline-, cost- and stakeholder management

• Translate consumer insights into marketable product briefs

• Select suitable raw materials and packaging with regard to quality, cost and sustainability

• Product Lifecycle Management

• Track and analyse category performance including sell-in, sell-through, margin and contribution margin

• Implement optimisation measures such as reformulations and packaging updates

• Make data-based decisions and actively manage complexity

• Commercial Excellence and Cost Optimisation

• Conduct market and sourcing analyses to identify cost savings and efficiency potentials

• Collaborate with Finance on margin models, pricing strategies and scenario planning

• Support promotional planning and assortment optimisation

• Governance and Compliance

• Ensure suppliers meet legal, ethical and quality standards

• Maintain master data and follow structured stage-gate processes
• Manage risks and plan proactively for bottlenecks, lead times and minimum order quantities

Your Skills

• At least three years of professional experience in category management, procurement or sourcing in the food or FMCG sector
• Solid experience in supplier selection, negotiation and margin optimization
• Experience in NPD processes and cross-functional project management
• Strong analytical skills and confident working with market, cost and performance data
• Structured working style, responsible and highly team-oriented
• Fluent in English spoken and written and German at least at a basic conversational level

AND WHY AHEAD?
Working at ahead is more than just a job - it's your opportunity to develop as a professional and as a person, while shaping the future of snacking. Our mission is to make low sugar the new standard, and we pour that ambition into every product we create. You'll become part of a team where international talent, startup drive, real impact, and true ownership come together.

• Hypergrowth Environment: If you're looking for greenfield, creative freedom, and real impact, you're in the right place. We're a team that is scaling fast - with purpose
• Great Workspace: A central office in the heart of Hamburg near the Alster, top equipment (MacBook), snacks, drinks, plenty of ahead products - and yes, a ping-pong table. We're also pet-friendly, so you can always bring your furry friend along
• Amazing Team: Young, international, ambitious - inspiring colleagues who collaborate, support each other, and genuinely enjoy working together
• Career Growth: Develop through cross-functional projects, structured feedback cycles, and a steep learning curve in a dynamic, high growth environment. We offer a fair, attractive salary with role-dependent bonus opportunities
• Great Benefits: Fuel yourself with ahead snacks, drinks, and merch - we've got you covered. On top: a €50 monthly allowance to spend as you like - Urban Sports Club, mobility options, or vouchers from your favorite brands (IKEA, MediaMarkt, Lego and more)
• Vacation Days: Enjoy 28 vacation days plus two extra days off on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Year's Eve)
• Events & Offsites: Regular after-work hangouts and legendary annual team offsites you won't forget

This role is based in Hamburg, with the flexibility of up to 2 home office days per week and the option to work from abroad for agreed upon periods. If this resonates with you, you can dive into the next steps as outlined below

YOUR NEXT STEPS WITH US
Let's get started Here's what the application process looks like:

Send us your resume and a few reasons why you want to be a part of ahead.

• We will get back to you as soon as possible to schedule an interview.
• After our initial meeting, you'll work on a small case study to give you a sense of the tasks you'll be handling.
• During the case presentation, you'll have the chance to meet our team and the founders, Johannes and Philip.
• If both sides are happy, you can start as soon as possible

Just reach out to us for a chat

Disclaimer
ahead GmbH is an equal opportunity workplace and is devoted to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

About Us
At ahead, we're building the snack brand for a new generation – one that loves chocolate, cookies & gummies, but doesn't love what sugar does to their bodies.

We use cutting-edge food tech to reinvent childhood favorites: no added sugar, no empty carbs – just full taste, better ingredients, and zero compromise.

The result? Everyday indulgence that actually fits your lifestyle.

Let's make low-sugar the new normal. And fun again.

We're growing fast, expanding across Europe, and looking for smart, driven, curious minds to join us.

If you're ready to change how millions of people snack – for good – we'd love to meet you.