Technical Buyer

As an technical buyer, you will be a direct support for your colleague and report directly to the CEO.

You will be in charge of a portfolio of technical parts for which you will have to develop a purchasing strategy and negotiate the best purchasing conditions under a total cost of ownership (TCO) approach.

You will work closely with strategic suppliers to develop strong relationships with them.

Ensuring excellent suppliers' operational performance (on-time delivery / zero defect) will be under your responsibility.

On a regular basis, you will scan the market to identify potential suppliers to work with.

Based on your knowledge and experience, you will launch and follow-up request for quotations (RFQ) and negotiations as well as participate in the supplier selection process.

As a technical buyer you will also be involved in new product development projects where your input will be important when challenging design and/or technology choices.

Finally, one of your daily tasks will be the creation and follow-up of purchase orders for the parts in your portfolio. Change is ongoing in the purchasing department to increase the level of automation of the purchasing process, you will support this change in cooperation together wit h your colleague.

**Skills and abilities**
- Knowledge of the sourcing process (RFI, RFQ, offer analysis, supplier selection. ) and negotiation techniques.
- Ability to manage day-to-day responsibilities as well as carry out strategic actions.
- Interest for technical product considerations:

- Good communication skills, willingness to learn and to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment.
- Proactive / capacity to take initiative.
- Strong MS Office skills (e.g. data analysis).
- At ease with any ERP software (knowledge of Ridder IQ would be a plus).
- Languages: English mandatory. Dutch, French and/or German are an asset.

**Academic profile and experience**
- Bachelor or master degree in Business (Purchasing, Supply Chain, Operations) or Engineering.
- Experience in a similar professional environment is required.