STRATEGIC BUYER

We are partnering with a prominent industry-leading client to find a STRATEGIC BUYER with a primary focus on steel and metal components.

Location: Italy (with frequent interaction across the Group's operations in Italy -Padova and Imperia- and Germany)

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for key direct material categories, with a primary focus on steel and metal components, followed by electric motors, plastics and fasteners.

This is a highly visible role with a significant impact on the Group's profitability through cost reduction initiatives, supplier development, volume aggregation and strategic sourcing projects across our Italian and German operations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodity categories.
• Manage RFQs, tenders and supplier negotiations at both local and international levels.
• Analyze commodity markets, industry trends and key cost drivers.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of cost-saving initiatives.
• Drive supplier competitiveness while ensuring quality and supply continuity.

Group Synergies & Volume Leverage

• Identify opportunities to aggregate purchasing volumes across Group companies.
• Negotiate framework agreements, volume rebates, index-based pricing mechanisms and commercial terms.
• Lead supplier consolidation and standardization initiatives.
• Support make-or-buy decisions, localization projects and low-cost-country sourcing strategies.
• Harmonize supplier terms, payment conditions and Incoterms across the Group where appropriate.

Supplier Development & Management

• Develop strategic relationships with key suppliers.
• Lead supplier scouting, qualification and onboarding activities.
• Identify and implement alternative sourcing solutions to reduce supply chain risks.
• Manage supplier performance and continuous improvement programs.
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, Operations and Finance teams.

Cost Optimization & Value Engineering

Partner with Engineering and Operations on:

• Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)
• Product standardization
• Specification optimization
• Target costing initiatives
• Localization projects

• Challenge supplier quotations through market benchmarking and should-cost analysis.
• Drive sustainable cost reduction and productivity initiatives.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Track spend, savings and procurement KPIs.
• Develop and maintain procurement dashboards using Excel and Power BI.
• Report sourcing activities, savings projects and supply risks to senior management.
• Ensure appropriate contract coverage and procurement governance.

What We Are Looking For

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 7/10 years of experience in strategic procurement of direct materials within a manufacturing environment.

Strong experience in:

• Steel purchasing
• Metal fabrication sourcing
• Commodity management

• Proven track record in international procurement and global sourcing.

Solid understanding of:

• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• Cost breakdown analysis
• Incoterms
• Contract negotiation
• Cross-border supply risks

• Fluent English and Italian both written and spoken.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with Power BI or similar analytical tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience sourcing electric motors, gear motors, plastics or industrial components.
• Previous experience working in multinational and multi-site industrial organizations.

Key Competencies

Strategic Negotiation

You understand supplier economics, create competitive tension and secure long-term commercial value through effective negotiations.

Analytical Mindset

You leverage spend analysis, cost models, market intelligence and data-driven decision making to identify opportunities and support strategic initiatives.

Category Management

You can build and execute sourcing strategies, supplier roadmaps and multi-year savings plans.

Collaboration & Influence

You effectively engage stakeholders across Procurement, Engineering, Operations, Quality and Finance, driving alignment across multiple sites and countries.

Results Orientation

You are passionate about delivering measurable savings, improving procurement performance and creating business value.

What We Offer

• A strategic role with high visibility within an international industrial gro