Senior Lead Buyer

Are you ready to contribute to high-impact, international energy projects shaping the future of low-carbon industry?

Driven since 1817 by the entrepreneurial spirit and thirst for innovation of its founder, the John Cockerill Group develops large-scale technological solutions to meet the needs of its time: facilitating access to low-carbon energies, enabling sustainable industrial production, installing critical infrastructures.

Its offer to companies, States and communities consists of services and associated equipment for the sectors of energy, defence, industry, the environment, transports, and infrastructures.

With over 8,000 employees, John Cockerill achieved a turnover of €1.417 billion in 2024, operating in 28 countries across 5 continents.

John Cockerill Energy is a global technology leader with over 200 years of expertise in steam generation and thermal engineering, specializing in the design and supply of heat recovery steam generators, cooling towers and air-cooled condensers under the Hamon® brand. Leveraging strong engineering capabilities, the company also delivers high-value aftersales services such as re-engineering, technical assistance, inspections, upgrades and lifetime assessments. Committed to the energy transition, John Cockerill Energy develops integrated, engineer-driven solutions combining renewable generation, energy storage and advanced Energy Management Systems (EMS).

John Cockerill Energy, The Power to change the World.

Why join John Cockerill Energy?

• Meaningful impact: contribute to energy projects directly supporting decarbonisation and energy efficiency.
• Global reach: collaborate with multicultural teams and international suppliers on complex projects worldwide.
• Supportive environment: benefit from a culture of flexibility, autonomy, collaboration and work-life balance.
• Engineering & decision centers on the same site: evolve in an agile, engineering-driven environment enabling fast and informed decisions.
• Technical expertise: develop your expertise within a highly technical procurement environment and become a key reference for your purchasing portfolio.

Because the energy transition requires reliable, efficient and sustainable technologies, John Cockerill Energy continuously innovates to deliver solutions combining performance, safety and environmental responsibility.

Your role

As a Senior Lead Buyer, with Valves as your main portfolio, you will play a key role within the Procurement, Logistics and Expediting Department.

You will be responsible for leading the procurement activities related to your portfolio throughout the project lifecycle, from sourcing and RFQs through commercial negotiations and purchase order closure, while ensuring quality, competitiveness and on-time delivery.

You will manage a strategic and technically demanding portfolio and work closely with Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Legal, suppliers and international stakeholders.

Your strong technical affinity and purchasing expertise will enable you to act as a key expert for the Valves scope, contributing to sourcing strategies, supplier selection, negotiations and risk management.

This position offers a high level of autonomy and responsibility, with the opportunity to progressively become a key reference and trusted partner within the Procurement team.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead procurement operations for your portfolio, from RFQ to purchase order closure, ensuring alignment with project requirements and schedules.
• Prepare and implement sourcing strategies to improve quality, delivery lead time and competitiveness while mitigating supply chain risks.
• Issue requests for quotation, analyze supplier offers and coordinate the technical approval process with Engineering.
• Coordinate with Headquarters and relevant stakeholders to finalize commercial negotiations and ensure timely ordering and delivery.
• Negotiate prices and contractual conditions while assessing remaining negotiation margins and securing the best possible commercial outcome.
• Select suppliers based on structured comparisons of offers, taking into account technical, commercial, quality and delivery criteria.
• Develop and maintain price norms and rate contracts.
• Manage and develop the supplier panel, including identifying and qualifying new suppliers.
• Monitor supplier and manufacturer performance and implement improvement and corrective action plans where required.
• Ensure appropriate supply chain monitoring through supplier/manufacturer/subcontractor visits and audits.
• Anticipate procurement risks and opportunities throughout the project