Technical Procurement Specialist

Menhir Photonics; Dübendorf; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Menhir Photonics is seeking a procurement leader to join our Zurich-area team as the first dedicated member of Procurement. You will build sourcing, supplier qualification, inventory, and procurement processes to support industrialization and growth.

This role offers freedom to shape the function, drive continuous improvement, and create lasting impact with Lean practices and ERP enhancements. Collaboration with Quality, Engineering, and Production is essential.

Qualifications

• Technical background in electronics, mechanics, or optics.
• 5+ years of working experience in a related function or field.
• Strong negotiation skills with basic financial/accounting knowledge.
• Understanding of quality topics (inspections, deviations, corrective actions).
• ERP and data management proficiency. Ideally Odoo.
• Supplier relationship management.
• Basic contract knowledge (terms, risks, compliance).

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute procurement activities, ensuring uninterrupted supply, competitive commercial conditions, and alignment with business objectives.
• Lead sourcing activities for new product development, industrialization, and transfer-to-production projects, ensuring supply chain readiness and manufacturability.
• Own inventory optimization and material availability, balancing production requirements, lead times, working capital, and service levels.
• Drive continuous improvement of procurement, inventory, and supply chain processes through Lean practices, ERP enhancements, automation, and standardization.
• Lead Incoming Quality Control (IQC) and supplier quality management in collaboration with Quality and Engineering, including non-conformities, deviations, corrective actions, and supplier development.
• Lead work preparation and material readiness activities, ensuring seamless coordination between Procurement, Production, Inventory Management, and Engineering.
• Own procurement and supply chain KPI management, including supplier OTD, OQD, inventory accuracy, lead times, and cost-performance targets.
• Develop and maintain a resilient supplier network, mitigating supply risks and supporting business continuity and growth.
• Support procurement-related industrialization and operational excellence initiatives, ensuring supplier capabilities and material strategies support future scaling requirements.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Quality control understanding

ERP systems

Supplier management

Contract knowledge

Education

Einkaufsfachmann/-frau BP or comparable qualification

Tools

Odoo ERP

Job description

Your mission

In this role, you will be the first dedicated member of the Procurement team and have the opportunity to build a high-performing procurement function from the ground up. Combining hands-on execution with strategic development, you will establish sourcing, supplier qualification, inventory, and procurement processes that support industrialization and growth. For an entrepreneurial individual, this role offers significant freedom to shape the function, drive continuous improvement, and create lasting impact.

Your profile

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute procurement activities, ensuring uninterrupted supply, competitive commercial conditions, and alignment with business objectives.


• Lead sourcing activities for new product development, industrialization, and transfer-to-production projects, ensuring supply chain readiness and manufacturability.


• Own inventory optimization and material availability, balancing production requirements, lead times, working capital, and service levels.


• Drive continuous improvement of procurement, inventory, and supply chain processes through Lean practices, ERP enhancements, automation, and standardization.


• Lead Incoming Quality Control (IQC) and supplier quality management in collaboration with Quality and Engineering, including non-conformities, deviations, corrective actions, and supplier development.


• Lead work preparation and material readiness activities, ensuring seamless coordination between Procurement, Production, Inventory Management, and Engineering.


• Own procurement and supply chain KPI management, including supplier OTD, OQD, inventory accuracy, lead times, and cost-performance targets.


• Develop and maintain a resilient supplier network, mitigating supply risks and supporting business continuity and growth.


• Support procurement-related industrialization and operational excellence initiatives, ensuring supplier capabilities and material strategies support future scaling requirements.

Skills & Experience

• Technical background in electronics, mechanics, or optics. Ideally complemented by further education as an Einkaufsfachmann/-frau BP or a comparable qualification.


• >5 years of working experience in a related function or field


• Strong negotiation skills with basic financial/accounting knowledge


• Understanding of quality topics (inspections, deviations, corrective actions)


• ERP and data management proficiency. Ideally Odoo.


• Supplier relationship management


• Basic contract knowledge (terms, risks, compliance)

Languages

• Proficient English required


• Fluent German required

Terms of Employment

• Workload: 80-100%; maximum 20% travel (visiting suppliers)


• Working arrangements: On-site


• Location: Headquarters in Stettbach near Zurich, Switzerland


• Preferred start date: ASAP

Why us?

You will be joining a fast-growing scale-up in our beautiful new office in Stettbach. Our international team values excellence, collaboration, and integrity. As we continue to grow rapidly, we are still building and refining our processes—your ideas and input will be valued as we establish best practices and streamline operations. We offer flexible working hours, a transportation subsidy, team events, a central location, modern, spacious offices with air conditioning, a cafeteria in the building, and opportunities for learning, development, and growth.

About Us

Menhir Photonics is a dynamic Swiss laser manufacturer offering laser solutions of unprecedented robustness and reliability to customers around the globe. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, our team has strong expertise in the development and production of ultrafast lasers for the markets of aerospace, telecom, and metrology.