Global Senior Procurement Expert (m/f/d)

Advantest; Böblingen; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantest is seeking a Procurement Transformation Lead in a hybrid role, shaping AI and automation strategies embedded in S2P/P2P processes. You will drive end-to-end programs, own the tool landscape, and partner with IT and regional teams to deliver measurable value.

Travel about 10–15% internationally as needed. The role requires 5+ years in procurement or supply chain plus proven leadership in enterprise-wide transformations with change-management expertise.

Qualifications

• Influencing and communication across cultures, functions and levels.
• Collaborate across cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Problem-solving, adaptability, root-cause understanding.
• Change management: guide teams through transformations.
• Analytical mindset with creativity and structured thinking.
• 5 years in procurement or supply chain roles.
• Minimum 5 years AI/automation strategy development and implementation.
• Proven track record of leading transformation projects.
• Enterprise-level implementation and change management experience.
• Strong background in process design and system implementation.

Responsibilities

• Translate business needs into scalable procurement process standards.
• Own end-to-end S2P / P2P processes and tool landscape.
• Lead transformation projects from concept to adoption and value delivery.
• Develop and own AI and automation strategies in procurement.
• Collaborate across IT, BPR&Dx, and regional teams.
• Develop team objectives and KPIs and manage stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Influencing & Communication

Collaboration

Problem-Solving & Adaptability

Change Management

Analytical Mindset with Creativity

Job description

Drive procurement excellence by personally leading and executing high-impact transformation initiatives, while providing strategic direction across global procurement processes and tools. Explicit hybrid role: combines hands-on project execution ('doing') with leadership and framework definition ('leading').
Define a clear vision on how AI and automation can be embedded into procurement processes and tools to support Business Procurement and Commodity teams. Acts as a strategic enabler (not an operational sourcing role).

Process & Tool Ownership

• Translate business needs into scalable process standards and system capabilities.
• Own and design end-to-end procurement processes (S2P / P2P).
• Define and evolve the procurement tool landscape with IT and BPR&Dx.
• Ensure global scalability and regional adaptability.

Transformation Execution (Hands-on Leadership)

• Personally lead and execute key transformation projects end-to-end.
• Take full ownership from concept to implementation, final user adoption, and measurable value delivery.
• Act as a player & coach: actively contribute to projects while guiding team members.
• Ensure initiatives are not only defined but successfully implemented and adopted.

AI & Automation Strategy and Implementation

• Develop and own AI and automation strategies embedded in procurement processes and tools.
• Directly lead selected AI/automation initiatives to ensure execution and collaborate with AI CoE in Corporate IT.
• Focus on enterprise-wide enablement rather than isolated tools.
• Deliver measurable improvements in Cost, SC resilience, TPRM, and Procurement related compliance management.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop a team with clear objectives and KPIs.
• Act as a role model through active management & involvement in key initiatives.
• Drive cross-functional alignment with IT, BPR&Dx, and business teams.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement across regions and local/regional procurement teams.

Critical Soft Skills

• Influencing & Communication - Ability to engage stakeholders across cultures, functions and levels.
• Collaboration - Strong team player with cross-functional coordination skills.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability - Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving solutions. Strong acumen in understanding the root cause of a problem.
• Change Management - Skilled in guiding teams through process and system transformations ensuring sustainable change.
• Analytical Mindset with Creativity - Combine structured thinking with innovative approaches.

• 5 years in procurement or supply chain roles.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in AI/automation strategy development and implementation.
• Proven track record of personally leading transformation projects.
• Experience must include enterprise-level implementation and change management, not occasional AI usage.
• Strong background in process design and system implementation.

Travel

• Approximately 10-15% international travel is expected.