Category Buyer Precision Machining

Frencken; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Frencken in Eindhoven seeks a Category Buyer – Precision Machining to source complex technologies and components for innovative projects. You will help develop the category strategy, balance technology, cost, quality, supply continuity, and risk, and build strong supplier relationships worldwide.

You will collaborate with GCM, PPLs, and cross-functional teams to drive cost optimization, supplier performance, and continuous improvement while ensuring alignment with global category initiatives.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of procurement, sourcing, or category management experience in precision machining or high-tech manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience sourcing machined components or technical products within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with solid experience in supplier negotiations and contract management.
• Good stakeholder management skills and ability to collaborate across functions and levels.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and supplier performance improvement.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in English; written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of short- and long-term category strategies with the GCM and Global Category Team.
• Partner with PPLs and multidisciplinary Program Teams to support priorities like supply continuity and cost optimization.
• Build and maintain relationships with strategic suppliers.
• Lead commercial discussions, supplier negotiations, and contract management with senior stakeholders.
• Conduct supplier reviews, monitor performance, and support continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, and supply chain optimization.
• Support supplier base development by scouting, qualifying, and onboarding new suppliers.
• Collaborate with Quality and Operational Procurement to resolve supply chain challenges.
• Contribute to global category strategies and procurement best practices.
• Escalate issues to the Category Buying Manager when needed.

Skills

English fluency

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related

Job description

Shape the Future of High-Tech Manufacturing

Are you a procurement professional with a passion for precision machining and supplier management? Do you thrive in a high-tech, international environment where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything you do? Then this is your opportunity.

As a Category Buyer – Precision Machining, you will play an important role in sourcing complex technologies and components for innovative products and projects. You will contribute to the development and execution of the category strategy, ensuring the right balance between technology, cost, quality, supply continuity, and risk.

You will build strong supplier relationships, support commercial excellence, and contribute to the success of our global supply chain.

What You'll Be Doing

As Category Buyer, You Will

• Support the development and execution of short- and long-term category strategies together with the GCM and the Global Category Team.
• Partner closely with Procurement Program Leads (PPLs) and multidisciplinary Program Teams to support business priorities, including supply continuity, cost optimization, quality improvement, and technology advancement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers.
• Prepare and lead commercial discussions, supplier negotiations, and contract management activities with support from senior stakeholders where required.
• Conduct supplier business reviews, monitor supplier performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, and supply chain optimization while helping mitigate commercial, operational, and quality risks.
• Support supplier base development by scouting, qualifying, and onboarding new suppliers.
• Collaborate with Quality and Operational Procurement teams to resolve supplier and supply chain challenges.
• Contribute to the implementation of global category strategies and procurement best practices.
• Escalate strategic or operational issues when appropriate to the Category Buying Manager.

What You Bring

You are a procurement professional who combines technical understanding with commercial awareness. You enjoy working in an international environment and are able to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

You Also Bring

• 3-7 years of procurement, sourcing, or category management experience, preferably within Precision Machining or a high-tech manufacturing environment.
• A Bachelor's degree (BSc or BEng) in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience sourcing machined components or technical products within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with solid experience in supplier negotiations and contract management.
• Good stakeholder management skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and supplier performance improvement.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• A proactive mindset with a collaborative approach and a drive for continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a real impact within an international high-tech organization where procurement is recognized as a strategic business partner. You'll work with leading suppliers, contribute to innovative technologies, and collaborate with talented colleagues across engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain.