The challenge is to deliver results in today’s environment while building the foundations for tomorrow. The Strategic Buyer will bring structure, discipline, transparency and a holistic perspective into supplier and product selection.The Strategic Buyer will operate at the intersection of strategy, product development, operations and a dynamic project business. He/she will need to balance structured, long-term and risk-mitigating sourcing strategies with the sometimes-opportunistic nature of sales-driven projects, especially for 3^rd party systems.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Account Management

• The performance of his/her global supplier accounts, in terms of QLTCS (Quality, Logistics, Technology, Cost, Sustainability)
• Active monitoring and evaluation of supplier performance
• Identification of improvement opportunities and driving supplier development initiatives

Category Management

The Strategic Buyer will have ownership in several procurement categories. Part of the scope will be the sourcing strategy responsibility for the category of 3^rd party systems. This category requires the Strategic Buyer to:

• Operate in a project-driven environment, working closely with sales and project management, balancing commercial agility with strategic consistency by ensuring that short-term project decisions do not compromise long-term supplier strategy and performance.
• Develop and manage a global supply base of capable partners and ensure holistic system and supplier selection
• Ensure strong contractual frameworks with clear responsibilities and performance expectations regarding these aspects    

New Product Development (NPD)

The Strategic Buyer will participate in and actively contribute to NPD-projects, representing the strategic procurement interests and conditions.

• Ensure the use of preferred suppliers and standard components
• Challenge engineering and safeguard a holistic approach to product and supplier selection
• Drive, enforce and lead a structured supplier selection qualification and contracting process

Core Competencies

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills in international environments
• Strong analytical capabilities with an assertive mindset
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work with technical products and engineering stakeholders
• Strong project management skills and experience with change management

Background

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration or a related field
• Profound, proven experience and training in specific in negotiating, category management, strategic procurement and contract management
• Background in technical or manufacturing industries
• Strong track record in supplier negotiations and contract management
• Experience managing suppliers across QLTCS dimensions
• Experience in new product development environments
• Strong ownership of supplier performance and sourcing decisions

• A high-impact strategic role with global responsibility
• Opportunity to shape supplier base and performance from early design stages
• A professionalizing procurement function where you can actively contribute to the development of structure and professional standards and demonstrate the added value
• International collaboration with procurement colleagues, stakeholders and suppliers across multiple regions
• Standardized modular product design and supply in a dynamic, project-driven environment