Strategic Category Buyer

TRUMPF Group

$90K — $110K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years in purchasing, supply chain, or procurement in an industrial environment
  • Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
  • Proficiency with SAP and MS Office programs
  • Strong analytical and conceptual skills
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field, MBA or certifications preferred

Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage strategic sourcing plans for indirect spend categories
  • Lead sourcing and negotiation processes including market research and RFx development
  • Establish and manage key supplier relationships with regular performance reviews
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies
  • Identify and implement cost-reduction and working capital optimization opportunities
  • Drive operational excellence through innovative business models with suppliers
  • Mitigate supply chain risks and ensure compliance with company policies

Benefits

  • Opportunity for continuous professional development
  • Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with various departments
  • Engagement in strategic initiatives that impact company-wide operations
  • Access to innovative supply chain methodologies
  • Possibility to drive significant cost savings and operational improvements
Full Job Description

The 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 USMCA. 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 in purchasing, supply chain, procurement or project management in an industrial 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 degree in any engineering and/or business or related field, or suitable combination of education and work experience required.

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

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