Senior Category Buyer

As a Senior Category Buyer Shipyards at DEME, you will be responsible for developing and executing the sourcing strategy for shipyard-related categories, including vessel construction, dry-docking, repair, maintenance, conversions, and related maritime services. Leveraging your extensive procurement expertise and market knowledge, you will drive strategic supplier relationships, optimize total cost of ownership, and ensure reliable supply chain performance in support of DEME's global fleet operations. You will play a key role in managing complex procurement projects, negotiating high-value contracts, and mentoring less experienced buyers.

Your responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a global network of reliable, financially stable, and technically capable shipyards and maritime service providers.
• Identify opportunities to optimize costs, improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply chain risks within the shipyard category.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including Fleet Management, Technical Departments, Operations, and Project Teams.
• Manage complex and high-value procurement activities, ensuring optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and commercial value creation.
• Take ownership of supplier selection processes, tenders, contract negotiations, and long-term framework agreements.
• Negotiate and maintain service agreements, price structures, contractual terms, KPIs, and supplier performance frameworks.
• Report to the Category Manager and provide strategic recommendations regarding supplier markets and category developments.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Applied Economics, or equivalent through experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant procurement experience, preferably within maritime, offshore, shipbuilding, heavy industry, or technical project environments.
• Strong affinity with technical and maritime-related subjects, vessel maintenance, or shipyard operations.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate market insights into procurement strategies.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of Dutch and additional languages is considered an asset.
• Team player with high integrity and the ability to influence stakeholders across different levels of the organization.
• Strong ownership, accountability, and focus on results; Ability to thrive in a dynamic, international, and project-driven environment.

Our offer

• A challenging role with tangible impact in a critical supporting category of DEME.
• Continuous development opportunities through DEME Academy and potential career growth within procurement & operations.
• A technical and innovative workplace focused on optimization and collaboration.
• A people‑oriented culture with attention to wellbeing and work‑life balance.
• A competitive salary package including a company car and attractive benefits.

DEME is a world leader in the highly specialised fields of dredging, solutions for the offshore energy industry, infra marine and environmental works. The company can build on more than 140 years of know-how and experience and has fostered a pioneering approach throughout its history, enabling it to be a front runner in innovation and new technologies. DEME’s vision is to work towards a sustainable future by offering solutions for global challenges: a rising sea level, a growing population, reduction of CO2 emissions, polluted rivers and soils and the scarcity of natural resources. While the company’s roots are in Belgium, DEME has built a strong presence in all of the world’s seas and continents, operating in more than 90 countries worldwide. DEME can rely on 5,200 highly skilled professionals across the globe. With a versatile and modern fleet of over 100 vessels, backed by a broad range of auxiliary equipment, the company can provide solutions for even the most complex projects. DEME achieved a turnover of 2.62 billion euros in 2019.