Working Student - Procurement

At Instagrid, you are part of the clean-tech revolution by bringing pure energy into your region, helping professional workers transitioning away from combustion generators and making it possible for them to experience a safe, efficient, clean and silent energy solution. Instagrid is scaling fast — and our procurement function needs to keep pace, not just strategically, but operationally. As a Working Student in Direct Procurement, you're at the center of daily execution: securing component availability, managing supplier interactions, running RFQs, and making sure our contract manufacturers always have what they need to build. You'll work in a supportive setup, but with genuine exposure to how a lean procurement team operates in a fabless environment. You'll report into our Procurement team and collaborate closely with Strategic and Operational Sourcing, with involvement in new product introductions and supply chain activities. The scope spans electromechanical components, battery-related materials, and full product assemblies — across engineering samples, NPI, and series production.

Responsibilities

Own daily operational purchasing: order management, delivery tracking, and availability monitoring for direct materials across our supply network; Run RFQs end-to-end — from initial inquiry and cost comparison through sample orders to series supply handover; Support early engineering phases with price indications and supplier benchmarks, anchoring cost targets before designs are locked; Act as the operational point of contact for our contract manufacturers — tracking commitments, escalating deviations, and keeping supply on track; Maintain and continuously improve purchasing data quality in NetSuite: lead times, MOQs, pricing, and supplier records; Contribute to cost-down initiatives through BoM-level price benchmarking and cross-supplier comparisons; Play an active role in building leaner, more digital purchasing processes through AI applications and automation

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a degree program in economics, business administration, engineering, or a comparable field; First practical experience in procurement, supply chain, or operations — internships count; Comfortable with electromechanical components, assemblies, or hardware products; Structured and reliable: track your own tasks, follow up without reminders, and flag issues before they escalate; Clear and direct in supplier communication — confident in writing and conversation, in both German and English; Fluent in German and English; both are required for daily business

Nice to have

Experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP system; background in electronics, battery systems, or EMS and contract manufacturing environments

Benefits

Real responsibility from day one — not busywork, but meaningful ownership of live procurement tasks; Full-cycle exposure: from engineering support and RFQ through negotiation to series supply; A lean, senior team that gives direct feedback and expects you to push back when something doesn't add up; An inside view of what it takes to scale a hardware company — across supply chain, operations, and beyond; Flexible working hours coordinated around your university schedule; Generous holiday entitlement plus additional special leave days, on a pro-rata basis