Category Buyer Precision Machining

Frencken Europe B.V.; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Frencken Europe B.V. in Eindhoven seeks a Category Buyer – Precision Machining to source complex technologies and components for innovative products. You will develop category strategies and balance technology, cost, quality, and supply continuity while building strong supplier relationships.

You will collaborate with global teams to support business priorities and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain. Fluency in English is essential.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of procurement, sourcing or category management experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree (BSc or BEng) in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• Experience sourcing machined components or technical products in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in supplier negotiations and contract management.
• Good stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and supplier performance improvement.
• Strong communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short- and long-term category strategies with the GCM and Global Category Team.
• Collaborate with PPLs and multidisciplinary teams to support priorities like supply continuity and cost optimization.
• Build and maintain relationships with strategic suppliers.
• Lead commercial discussions, negotiations and contract management with guidance from senior stakeholders.
• Conduct supplier reviews, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify cost-reduction and value-engineering opportunities while mitigating risks.
• Support supplier base development including scouting, qualifying, and onboarding new suppliers.
• Work with Quality and Operational Procurement to resolve supply challenges.
• Contribute to global category strategies and procurement best practices.
• Escalate issues to the Category Buying Manager when needed.

Skills

Procurement experience

Sourcing

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Supplier relationship management

Communication

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Supply Chain/Business

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.

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine strategic thinking, technical expertise, and commercial leadership, we’d love to hear from you.