Strategic Purchaser

The Strategic Purchaser plays a critical role in ensuring procurement success within complex products and / or multi-category projects. Acting as the primary representative of the purchasing function, this job integrates procurement activities with project management objectives, ensuring fulfillment of project / product requirements, aligning closely with the global category management team.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the main liaison between the purchasing department and project teams, ensuring procurement alignment with project goals.
• Develops and manages project/product-specific procurement strategies to meet technical, budgetary, and timeline constraints of product / project.
• Coordinates the procurement of critical components and services for complex products and/or multi-category projects.
• Works closely with project management and operations/production to meet specific project objectives.
• Provides feedback to category managers on supplier performance and project challenges. Ensures category strategies are adapted to project-specific requirements
• Leads negotiations for project-specific contracts, focusing on minimizing risks and achieving favorable terms.
• Sets the interface to operational procurement / order handling.
• Supports cost transparency and value engineering efforts during project planning and execution.
• Identifies cost-saving opportunities and implements strategies to achieve project budget goals.
• Monitors and controls project-related procurement costs and provides regular updates to stakeholders.

Profile:

• Commercial or technical education (university of applied sciences, university of)
• Minimum 3 years in strategic purchasing, preferably in a project-driven or industrial environment.
• Experience in automotive, machinery, or systems engineering industries is a plus.
• Proven track record of managing procurement for complex products and/or multi-category projects.
• Experience in working with international matrix organizations and multicultural project teams.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Advanced skills in supplier negotiation, contract management, and risk assessment.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and procurement software.
• Stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is a strong advantage
• Fluency in German and English languages
• Willingness to travel