Strategic Buyer Manufacturing

Responsibilities / Tasks

Strategy

• Consulted on the category strategy definition by providing business feedback and visions from the entities/BUs/Functions that the role supports.

Sourcing

• Based on pre‑alignment with category managers, either drives or supports total cost reduction, payment terms improvement and supplier‑led innovation initiatives.
• Supports project procurement managers regarding sourcing activities (pre‑sales and execution phase).
• Runs RfX, negotiates, and takes awarding decisions in line with both category and business strategy.
• Monitors and strives for compliance adherence of relevant stakeholders to procurement processes and policies (contract management, competitive bidding, sourcing, PR approval, etc.).

Supplier Management – for each vendor assigned to the role for Supplier Account Manager (SAM)

• Acts as last point of contact for escalations (cost, quality, service, compliance, etc.).
• First point of contact for information about the main supplier account.
• Monitors and manages supplier risks (e.g., within Ariba SRM, GEA Scorecard).
• Owns the supplier roadmap/development plan.
• Conducts business review meetings and leads key negotiations with relevant stakeholders.
• Owns the sustainability scorecard in Ecovadis and other sustainability actions.
• For preferred suppliers – ensures systematic involvement in new projects/developments.
• Supports qualification and implementation in new entities.
• Monitors supplier capacity and/or lead times and takes related actions accordingly.
• When applicable – maintains the main framework agreement (and/or NDA, COCSS v4) in Ariba CLM.

Purchasing

• Can create/process and follow up on purchase orders as a minor part of weekly activities (80/20 approach).

Your Profile / Qualifications

• University bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Economics.
• Strong experience in procurement processes.
• Know‑how in contract management.
• Cost analysis and management.
• Experience with implementation of corporate procurement.
• Work experience in complex organizations.
• Negotiation experience.
• Systems: Ariba, S2P, SAP.
• Experience with manufacturing components (welding/bending preferred).
• Market analysis experience.
• English fluent.
• Ability to network and build relationships and internal stakeholder/supplier relationship management.
• Ability to translate business requirements into RFx.
• Very good analytical capabilities, problem‑solving skills and ability to think strategically.
• Very good communication skills.
• Services and delivery expert.
• Contract experience.
• Commercial/analytical and engagement skills.

Bonus points if you have…

• Procurement or supply chain certification.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation.
• Annual bonus tied to company performance.
• Health & wellbeing programmes.
• Pension plan membership.
• Shares & savings programme.