Strategic Category Buyer

TRUMPF Group

$80K — $110K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of experience in purchasing or procurement in a corporate setting
  • Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
  • Experience with SAP and lean manufacturing preferred
  • Proficiency in MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field; advanced degrees or certifications are a plus

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for indirect categories
  • Lead sourcing and negotiation efforts, including RFx development
  • Establish and manage key supplier relationships
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align on procurement strategies
  • Identify cost-reduction and optimization opportunities
  • Create innovative business models to improve operational efficiency
  • Mitigate supply chain risks and ensure compliance with procurement standards

Benefits

  • Innovative work environment fostering collaboration and growth
  • Opportunities for professional development and certification
  • Involvement in impactful projects across multiple subsidiaries
  • Support for changes and continuous improvement in procurement practices
Full Job Description
Strategic Category Buyer for Indirect Procurement will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned indirect category groups (e.g., Logistics, Professional Services, MRO) for all TRUMPF subsidiaries in US, MX and CA. This role involves managing the entire sourcing lifecycle, from market analysis and strategy development to contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, and driving continuous improvement in cost, quality, and service.

Responsibilities:
  • Strategy Development: Develop, implement, and manage multi-year strategic sourcing plans for assigned indirect spend categories to achieve cost savings, risk mitigation, and service level improvements by collaborating with cross-functional leaders across USMCA and aligning with global category strategy.
  • Sourcing & Negotiation: Lead all phases of the sourcing and benchmark process, including market research, spend analysis, development of RFx, and complex commercial and contractual negotiations with suppliers.
  • Supplier Management: Establish and manage key supplier relationships, conducting regular performance reviews, driving supplier innovation, and ensuring compliance with contract terms.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner closely with internal stakeholders (e.g., Logistics, Finance, HR, Operations, Facilities) to understand their business needs, align procurement strategies, and ensure successful category strategy implementation to achieve maximum cost savings.
  • Cost and Capital Management: Identify and implement cost-reduction, value-enhancement and working capital optimization opportunities using total cost of ownership (TCO) principles. Track and report savings against targets.
  • Change Management: Develop creative business and operating models with strategic suppliers to drive operational excellence and continuous cost improvement. Successfully manage change by analyzing extensive procurement data, creating executive summaries and presenting its impact to senior leadership routinely.
  • Risk & Compliance: Identify and mitigate supply chain risks. Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, good procurement practices, ethical standards, and TRUMPF's Internal Control System (ICS).


Experience

Three to five years previous experience preferably in purchasing, supply chain, procurement, project management or similar roles in corporate environment.

Strong interpersonal, negotiation and problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure, strong analytical and conceptual skills, and high self-confidence are a must.

Experience with SAP, lean manufacturing, and understanding of cost breakdowns is strongly preferred.

Strong working knowledge of MS Office programs including PowerPoint, Word and Excel is required.

Experience with technical writing and procurement law preferred but not required.

Education

Bachelor's degree in any engineering and/or business or related field, or suitable combination of education and work experience required.

MBA/MS or CSCP/CPIM, CPSM, or SCPro certifications preferred but not required.

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