Strategic Buyer Mechanical

Gea Group; Colognola ai Colli; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

GEA is seeking an experienced Procurement professional to manage supplier relationships and drive cost reductions in the Italian market. The role focuses on strategy alignment, supplier performance, and compliant procurement execution within the Metalworking industry context.

The candidate will lead RFx processes, negotiate terms, and coordinate with category managers and project teams to optimize supply chain outcomes. This position requires travel and fluency in English.

Qualifications

• University, bachelor’s degree in engineering or Economics or similar experiences.
• Procurement or Supply chain Certification (optional).
• 5+ years of experience in procurement processes.
• Know-how contract management.
• Cost analysis and management.
• Cultural Awareness.
• Experience with implementation of corporate procurement.
• Work experience in complex organizations.
• Negotiation experience.
• Systems: Ariba, S2P, SAP.
• English (fluent).
• Ability to network and build relationships.
• Internal stakeholder /supplier relationship management.
• Ability to translate business requirements into RFx.
• Very good analytical capabilities, problem-solving skills and ability to think strategically.
• Takes ownership of the work, successes and mistakes.
• Very good communication skills.
• Services and delivery expert.
• Negotiation Expert.
• Contract experience.
• Commercial/analytical and engagement skills.
• Availability for business travel.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to category strategy with business feedback.
• Drive or support total cost reduction and supplier-led innovation initiatives.
• Support project procurement managers in sourcing activities (pre-sales and execution).
• Run RFx, negotiations, and awarding decisions aligned with category and business strategy.
• Monitor compliance with procurement processes and policies.
• Act as main contact for supplier escalations and information.
• Monitor and manage supplier risks (e.g., Ariba SRM, Ecovadis).
• Own supplier roadmap and development plan; conduct business reviews and negotiations.
• Own sustainability scorecard in Ecovadis and other actions.
• Ensure involvement of preferred suppliers in new projects.
• Support qualification and implementation in new entities.
• Monitor supplier capacity and lead times; adjust actions accordingly.
• Maintain framework agreements in Ariba CLM where applicable.
• Create/process and follow up on purchase orders as 80/20 activity.

Skills

Engineering/Econ degree

English (fluent)

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

University bachelor’s degree in engineering or Economics

Tools

Ariba

S2P

SAP

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of sustainable industries?

Join GEA and become part of a global team that’s driving innovation, excellence, and impact across the food, beverage, and process sectors.
GEA is one of the leading suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and for a wide range of other process industries. Around 18,000 employees in over 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success: join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams, and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.

Responsibilities / Tasks

Strategy

• As part of category communities, is consulted on the category strategy definition by providing business feedback and visions from the entities/BUs/Functions that the role is supporting

Sourcing

• Based on pre-alignment with category managers, either drives or supports total cost reduction, payment terms improvement & supplier-led innovation initiatives
• Supports Project procurement managers regarding sourcing activities (pre-sales and execution phase)
• Runs RfX, negotiations, and takes awarding decisions in line with both category & business strategy
• Monitors and strives for compliance adherence of relevant stakeholders to procurement processes & policies (Contract management, competitive bidding, sourcing, PR approval etc.)

Supplier Management – for each vendor assigned to the role for Supplier Account Manager (SAM):

• Acts as last contact for escalations (cost, quality, service, compliance…)
• 1st contact for information about the main supplier account
• Monitor & manage supplier risks (e.g. within Ariba SRM, GEA Scorecard…)
• Owns the supplier roadmap / development plan
• Conducts business review meetings & leads the key negotiations (with relevant stakeholders)
• Owns sustainability scorecard in Ecovadis and other sustainability actions
• For preferred suppliers - Ensures systematic involvement in new projects/developments
• Supports qualification & implementation in new entities
• Monitor supplier capacity and/or lead times and take related actions accordingly
• When applicable - Maintains the main framework agreement (and/or NDA, COCSS v4) in Ariba CLM

Purchasing

• Can create/process and follow up on purchase orders, as long as it remains a minor part of the weekly activities (80/20 approach)

Your Profile / Qualifications

• University, bachelor’s degree in engineering or Economicsor similar experiences
• Procurement or Supply chain Certification (optional)
• 5+ years of experience in procurement processes
• Know-how contract management
• Cost analysis and management
• Cultural Awareness
• Experience with implementation of corporate procurement
• Work experience in complex organizations
• Negotiation experience
• Systems: Ariba, S2P, SAP
• English (fluent)
• Ability to network and build relationships
• Internal stakeholder /supplier relationship management
• Ability to translate business requirements into RFx
• Very good analytical capabilities, problem-solving skills and ability to think strategically
• Takes ownership of the work, successes and mistakes
• Very good communication skills
• Services and delivery expert
• Negotiation Expert
• Contract experience
• Commercial/analytical and engagement skills
• Availability for business travel

The position falls under the Italian National Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL) for the Metalworking Industry, with job classification and level to be defined based on the candidate’s experience and skills.

The indicative gross annual salary range for this role is between €45,000 and €55,000, depending on experience, technical expertise, level of autonomy, and market alignment.

The overall compensation package may also include variable components and additional company benefits, which will be discussed during the selection process.

GEA is proudly certified as a Top Employer, confirming our commitment to employee well‑being, development, and empowerment.

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