JOB TITLE: Strategic Buyer
Start Date: TBC
Duration: 1 year
Working Hours: 8 am - 5 pm
Rotations/Holidays: Replacement during holidays is not required. For longer absences, this will be considered.
Working Type: OFFICE-BASED in FRANCE
Travel Requirements: Trips may arise occasionally, but very rarely, lasting a max of 3-5 days.
The selected candidate will be responsible for leading sourcing and contracting activities across a wide range of indirect spend categories, supporting key business stakeholders and contributing to global cost optimization.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead sourcing projects across multiple indirect categories, including consulting, training, engineering services, audits, travel, facility management, and more.
- Negotiate contracts and commercial terms with international and local suppliers, ensuring value for money and risk mitigation.
- Act as a strategic partner for internal stakeholders, identifying needs proactively and providing procurement support aligned with business goals.
- Manage the full sourcing process: requirements gathering, supplier scouting, tendering, evaluation, negotiations, and contract finalization.
- Ensure contract implementation and support the Tactical Procurement team in PO-related tasks.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and ensure compliance with internal governance processes (Sourcing Board, OpEx/CapEx approval workflows, Limits of Authority).
- Drive cost savings through innovation, TCO analysis, supplier consolidation, and process improvements.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of shared sourcing tools and processes within the team.
- Ensure governance and compliance, manage supplier homologation and risk
PROFILE:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Law, Engineering or a related field (Master's is a plus).
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in sourcing or procurement, preferably within indirect categories. Previous team management experience is a strong asset.
- Strong negotiation skills and solid understanding of contract terms and legal principles - multi-variable negotiation (BATNA, walk-away points, risk allocation), not price alone, while preserving the supplier relationship.
- Proven ability to manage stakeholders across departments and geographies, influencing without formal authority.
- Fluent in English and French
- Excellent communication and analytical skills.
- Hands-on attitude, autonomy, and ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment.
- Working knowledge of SAP MM
- Willingness to travel.
- Contract literacy: ability to read a contract and identify problematic clauses, not just list standard terms.
- CIPS (or equivalent procurement certification) is a plus.
- Accountability and ownership. This is the single most important trait: self-organization, proactive communication, and taking full responsibility from kick-off to contract signature.
ewi is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. ewi is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
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