Technical Buyer

Akkodis; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis, part of The Adecco Group, seeks an experienced Technical Procurement specialist in Zurich to drive sourcing and supplier management for advanced robotic components. You will collaborate with Engineering, Production, and external suppliers to secure material availability and keep prototypes moving toward series production.

You will manage RFQs, negotiate lead times, review BOMs, and resolve supply issues in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in technical procurement within robotics, industrial automation, electronics, or similar engineering-driven manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and electronic components, drawings, specs and BOMs.
• Experience managing complete purchasing cycle from RFQs to delivery.
• Experience working with Engineering and Production teams, e.g., in prototype development or production ramp-up.
• Confident negotiating with suppliers on pricing, lead times and escalations.
• Able to work independently, prioritize urgent requirements and own procurement activities.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving environment with evolving designs and tight timelines.
• Practical experience with ERP or procurement systems.
• Pragmatic, hands-on, solution-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical procurement: sourcing and purchasing of mechanical, electronic and electromechanical components including actuators, sensors, PCBs and machined parts.
• Support production ramp-up by securing material availability for upcoming robot builds and milestones.
• Manage suppliers: run RFQs, evaluate quotations, negotiate pricing and lead times, place purchase orders and track deliveries.
• Work with engineering BOMs to identify purchasing needs and sourcing risks.
• Solve supply issues by identifying shortages and delayed deliveries and escalate where needed.
• Support outsourcing activities by evaluating suppliers for assemblies and electronics manufacturing.
• Keep procurement data organized with accurate records, confirmations and schedules.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and improve supplier communication.

Skills

Technical procurement

Supplier negotiation

Sourcing

RFQ management

Cross-functional collaboration

Fluent English

On-site in Zurich

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Akkodis, part of The Adecco Group, is a global leader in engineering and IT services, as well as a key player in the smart industry. Present in 30 countries, our 50,000 experts combine technological expertise with deep industry knowledge to build a more sustainable future, driven by a culture of inclusion and diversity.

In this role, you will support procurement activities for a fast-moving engineering organization developing advanced humanoid robots.

You'll work closely with Engineering, Production and external suppliers to source technical components, secure material availability and support the transition from prototypes to series production. You'll manage purchasing activities from RFQ to delivery, solve supply issues and help keep critical projects on track.

Scope

• Drive technical procurement. Manage sourcing and purchasing of mechanical, electronic and electromechanical components, including actuators, sensors, PCBs, machined parts and assemblies.
• Support production ramp-up. Work closely with Engineering and Production to secure material availability for upcoming robot builds and production milestones.
• Manage suppliers. Run RFQs, evaluate quotations, negotiate pricing and lead times, place purchase orders and follow up on deliveries.
• Work with engineering BOMs. Review technical requirements, drawings, specifications and BOM revisions to identify purchasing needs and sourcing risks.
• Solve supply issues. Identify shortages, delayed deliveries and supplier constraints. Escalate critical issues and find practical solutions to keep projects moving.
• Support outsourcing activities. Help identify and evaluate suppliers for mechanical assemblies, electronics manufacturing and other outsourced production activities.
• Keep procurement organized. Maintain accurate purchasing information, supplier confirmations, delivery schedules and order status in procurement systems.
• Improve how we work. Identify opportunities to simplify procurement processes, improve supplier communication and strengthen coordination between Engineering, Procurement and Production.
• Stay hands-on. Take ownership of day-to-day purchasing activities, from urgent RFQs and supplier calls to resolving delivery problems.

Profile

• 5+ years of experience in technical procurement or purchasing within robotics, industrial automation, electronics, mechatronics or a similar engineering-driven manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and electronic components, technical drawings, specifications and engineering BOMs.
• Experience managing the complete purchasing cycle, from RFQs and supplier selection to purchase orders and delivery follow-up.
• Experience working directly with Engineering and Production teams, ideally in prototype development, new product introduction (NPI) or production ramp-up.
• Confident negotiating with suppliers and managing pricing, lead times, delivery commitments and escalations.
• Able to work independently, prioritize multiple urgent requirements and take ownership of procurement activities.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment with evolving designs, changing priorities and tight project timelines.
• Practical experience with ERP or procurement systems.
• Pragmatic, hands-on, solution-oriented mindset: someone who gets things done rather than only coordinating or reporting.
• Fluent English and able to work on-site in Zurich.