Divisional Senior Buyer for 3rd Party Products

IMI plc

We are a global specialist engineering company that creates breakthrough solutions. We are curious and like to solve problems, partnering with our customers to solve the demands of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. We embrace innovation and care about outcomes that are good for business, everyday life and making a better world – creating lasting impact for everyone.

We design, build and service highly engineered products in fluid and motion control applications. We focus on five market sectors: Industrial Automation, Process Automation, Climate Control, Life Science and Fluid Control, and Transport.

Our partnership approach breaks through problems and reduces complexity. We don’t invent in isolation – we collaborate with our customers. We listen closely and we think differently, creating space for diverse minds to innovate. We are working together to make businesses safer, more sustainable and more productive.

Job Purpose

The Divisional senior buyer is responsible for the cost, quality and delivery performance, focusing on improvements throughout:

• managing assigned suppliers and product categories 


• optimization of projects – finding new saving opportunities, defining project plans, and executing on agreed actions

Main Responsibilities

• Be ultimately in charge of all commercial relationships with suppliers within the commodity on the global level, securing targeted levels of cost, quality, delivery precision, sustainability, etc.


• Define and implement a strategy for a given portfolio of products and vendors, drive sourcing projects


• Drive value by implementing strategic sourcing and entering into cost efficient agreements that fulfil supply requirements, by using a systematic methodology and a continuous total cost of ownership focus. Oversee and lead the negotiation, development and maintenance of vendor agreements.


• Work with cross functional team (Procurement, R&D, Quality, Sales and Category Managers) to identify improvement opportunities.


• Drive improvement projects 1) best country sourcing 2) supplier rationalization 3) lead time reduction 4) stock improvement 5) payment terms improvement 6) quality improvement (together with team SQE).  


• Be procurement lead (coordination, sourcing) for new product development projects


• Develop a good relationship with Category Managers and Sales representatives to be able to drive change in the product portfolio.

The Person

Qualifications and Experience

• 7+ years of working experience across engineering, manufacturing, procurement


• 5 years of working experience in strategic procurement (Category/Commodity Management, holding previously roles such as Category or Commodity Buyer) within international organization


• Deep insights in the purchasing environment for the commodities managed through previous experience in automotive, complex industrial or electronics industry


• Experience in cost analysis / cost breakdowns 

Skills and Capabilities

• Able and used to work in English, German a plus


• Analytical and Strategical skills accompanied by a good knowledge of Ms Excel and Ms PowerPoint


• Capabilities in managing strategic supplier relationships, including relationship building, performance, development and integration


• Strong interpersonal skills (e.g., tact/diplomacy, listening, negotiation, etc).


• Understanding the importance of customer service and internal stakeholder management


• Mobility for travel according to business needs.

Leadership Behaviors

• High degree of integrity and transparency


• Ability to work within the organization at all levels


• High level of drive and personal commitment, work as an owner


• Adaptability and resilience

IMI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

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