Procurement Manager

Walker Lovell; Graubünden; On-site; CHF 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker Lovell Ltd. is seeking an experienced Global Procurement Category Manager to lead global chemical raw-material categories and supplier negotiations. The role focuses on securing competitive pricing, delivering measurable savings, and ensuring continuity of supply across regions.

You will own sourcing strategies, manage spot-buying, and benchmark pricing while collaborating with teams in Europe, the Americas and Asia. A hands-on, data-driven category manager is desired.

Qualifications

• Substantial procurement experience with ownership of complex direct-material categories in manufacturing.
• Experience purchasing chemical raw materials with supplier negotiations and commercial results.
• Track record of delivering measurable savings under cost pressure.
• Experience of spot buying and negotiating where supplier choice is limited.
• Automotive industry experience is advantageous when combined with chemical materials purchasing.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to challenge suppliers independently.
• Resilient, structured and analytical with attention to detail.
• Fluent English, with German language skills or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for global chemical raw-material categories.
• Lead challenging commercial negotiations with international suppliers.
• Manage spot-buying activity using market intelligence for timely decisions.
• Deliver measurable cost savings while maintaining quality and supply security.
• Benchmark pricing through RFQs, supplier comparisons and market analysis.
• Identify and develop alternative suppliers to reduce costs and risk.
• Work with colleagues across Europe, the Americas and Asia to support manufacturing requirements.
• Present clear, data-backed recommendations and take accountability for category performance.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Cost savings

Data-driven

Cross-functional collaboration

English fluency

German language learning

Job description

Global Procurement Category Manager - Direct Materials

Location: Site-based role in the wider Landquart area, Switzerland

Salary: Up to CHF 160,000 plus performance-related bonus

Walker Lovell is recruiting an experienced Global Procurement Category Manager to join the global procurement team of a leading international manufacturing business.

This opportunity suits a commercially strong procurement professional with proven experience purchasing chemical raw materials. Automotive industry experience would be a significant advantage.

You will take ownership of global categories, combining sourcing strategy with frequent, hands-on supplier negotiations. Your focus will be on securing competitive pricing, delivering measurable savings and protecting continuity of supply in markets where supplier choice can be limited.

What you will be doing

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for global chemical raw-material categories
• Lead challenging commercial negotiations with international suppliers
• Manage spot-buying activity, using market intelligence to make timely purchasing decisions
• Deliver measurable cost savings while maintaining quality and supply security
• Benchmark pricing through RFQs, supplier comparisons and market analysis
• Identify and develop alternative suppliers to reduce costs and supply risk
• Work with colleagues across Europe, the Americas and Asia to support manufacturing requirements
• Present clear, data-backed recommendations and take accountability for category performance

What we are looking for

• Substantial procurement experience with ownership of complex direct-material categories in manufacturing
• Proven experience purchasing chemical raw materials, with direct responsibility for supplier negotiations and commercial results
• A track record of delivering measurable savings under significant cost pressure
• Experience of spot buying and negotiating in markets with limited supplier choice
• Automotive industry experience would be a significant advantage, particularly when combined with chemical raw-material purchasing
• Strong commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge suppliers and make decisions independently
• A resilient, structured and analytical approach, with close attention to detail
• Fluent English, with German language skills or a willingness to learn

The opportunity

You will have direct influence over global sourcing decisions in a structured, data-driven environment that values ownership, accuracy and results.

This is a hands-on category management position with functional responsibility rather than direct reports. Full-time site attendance is required, so you will need to live within commuting distance of the wider Landquart area or be willing to relocate.