Category Buyer

Jefferson Wells Belgium; Luik; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Jefferson Wells Belgium is seeking a Category Buyer for a leading player in the hydrogen and energy sector. You will develop a strategic supplier portfolio, lead sourcing initiatives, negotiate commercial agreements and drive supplier performance.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Project teams to secure a reliable, competitive, and sustainable supply base while supporting key business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in strategic purchasing, category management, or procurement within an industrial environment.
• Strong experience in supplier sourcing, evaluation, and contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of procurement methodologies including RFI, RFQ, RFP, supplier qualification, and contract management.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and performance through KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in cost analysis and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with sustainability, HSE, and risk management considerations within procurement is an asset.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of French and/or Dutch is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop competitive suppliers aligned with business needs.
• Lead sourcing activities including RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes.
• Assess suppliers based on Quality, Cost, Delivery (QCD), Sustainability, and HSE criteria.
• Participate in supplier audits, qualification processes, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Prepare and lead commercial negotiations to secure optimal pricing, terms, delivery conditions, and service levels.
• Manage supplier contracts throughout their lifecycle, ensuring compliance and effective follow-up until closure.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Drive corrective actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and issue resolution with suppliers.
• Identify and implement cost reduction, productivity improvement, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization opportunities.
• Support strategic projects and ensure procurement requirements are integrated into project execution plans.

Skills

Strategic purchasing

Category management

Procurement

Supplier sourcing

Contract negotiation

English fluent

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Procurement / Supply Chain / Business / Engineering

Job description

For one of our clients, a major player in the hydrogen and energy sector, we are looking for a Category Buyer.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing and managing a strategic supplier portfolio, leading sourcing initiatives, negotiating commercial agreements, and driving supplier performance. Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Project teams, you will contribute to securing a reliable, competitive, and sustainable supply base while supporting key business objectives.

Your mission

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop competitive suppliers aligned with business needs.
• Lead sourcing activities including RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes.
• Assess suppliers based on Quality, Cost, Delivery (QCD), Sustainability, and HSE criteria.
• Participate in supplier audits, qualification processes, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Prepare and lead commercial negotiations to secure optimal pricing, terms, delivery conditions, and service levels.
• Manage supplier contracts throughout their lifecycle, ensuring compliance and effective follow-up until closure.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Drive corrective actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and issue resolution with suppliers.
• Identify and implement cost reduction, productivity improvement, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization opportunities.
• Support strategic projects and ensure procurement requirements are integrated into project execution plans.

Your profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in strategic purchasing, category management, or procurement within an industrial environment.
• Strong experience in supplier sourcing, evaluation, and contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of procurement methodologies including RFI, RFQ, RFP, supplier qualification, and contract management.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and performance through KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in cost analysis and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with sustainability, HSE, and risk management considerations within procurement is an asset.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of French and/or Dutch is a plus.