Direct Purchasing Internship (m/f/d) - Gigafactory Berlin – Brandenburg

Role overview

This internship sits within the Supply Operations team focused on direct parts purchasing at Gigafactory Berlin. The position offers hands-on exposure to procurement activities, supplier coordination, and process improvement in an international setting. You will support the European manager for direct purchasing and contribute to both operational work and project-based tasks.

Internship details

• Work location: Gigafactory Berlin
• Assignment length: 6 months
• Working arrangement: full-time
• Planned start: August

What you will do

In this role, you will act as a key support contact for purchasing-related questions and help keep the buying process running smoothly. Your work will include creating purchase orders, responding to supply shortages, supporting supplier nomination, and coordinating with teams across Europe, the US, and China to align local sourcing with global strategy.

• Assist with procurement initiatives for direct parts and services, including supplier readiness and execution support.
• Review and analyze RFQs to understand cost factors and help identify the best commercial outcome.
• Follow the sourcing flow from RFQ through to contract completion and service delivery.
• Support contract finalization while applying relevant legal considerations in supplier dealings.
• Build negotiation capability and manage supplier communication in a proactive, solution-focused way.
• Learn the basics of production processes and industrialization costs to support sourcing decisions.
• Prepare sourcing proposals and present them to the team with clear, evidence-based reasoning.
• Use procurement tools, maintain part master data, and look for opportunities to improve processes.

What you should bring

• Very strong English skills at C1 level.
• Current enrollment in, or completion of, a degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, Business Economics, or a similar subject.
• Prior internship exposure to supply chain, purchasing, or procurement, ideally in an industrial field such as automotive or aerospace, would be an advantage.
• Good command of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and the ability to quickly learn new systems and workflows.
• Comfort in a fast-moving environment where priorities can change frequently.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build professional working relationships.
• A self-driven, proactive mindset with strong analytical problem-solving ability and efficient task execution.
• Team-oriented attitude and the ability to work well with multiple stakeholders and business partners.

Additional information

The role is based at Gigafactory Berlin and is intended for a six-month period starting in August. The internship combines day-to-day operational responsibilities with opportunities to contribute to improvement projects. The position also requires active support for sustainability practices and alignment with global environmental, health, safety, and security standards, including EMAS-related requirements.

Working style and expectations

You should be comfortable operating in a dynamic and continuously changing environment, collaborate across regions, and contribute to a culture of ongoing environmental improvement. The role calls for ownership, adaptability, and a practical approach to problem-solving.