Global Direct Category Buyer

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Amsterdam

On-site

EUR 60,000 - 80,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A global humanitarian organization is seeking a Global Direct Category Buyer in Amsterdam. The successful candidate will lead procurement strategies and coordinate efforts across multiple entities. The role requires a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years in procurement including 2+ in strategic roles, and strong communication skills. Fluency in English is essential, with French as a plus. This full-time position involves significant responsibility in a complex, international environment.

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in Procurement or Supply-related function, including 2+ years in strategic procurement.
Direct work experience in a complex multi-entity organization.
Fluent spoken and written English; good command of French is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead Global Procurement Strategies.
Manage and develop Supplier Relationships.
Perform sourcing process for goods or services.

Skills

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Customer orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business with specialization in purchasing or project management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

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Note: Compensation and benefits reflect the MSF entity establishing the contract. By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. CONTEXT

Procurement of products and services is a critical activity for MSF operations and represents approximately half of MSF’s expenses. Therefore, MSF has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to strengthen and re-organize its procurement function, which have led to the creation of the Global Procurement Unit (GPU). The primary aim of the GPU is to streamline procurement activities and increase compliance, efficiency, and risk management.

Situated within MSF International Office, the role of the Global Procurement Unit is to lead global procurement strategies, to coordinate procurement efforts in the organization and to support the development of the procurement function across all MSF entities to efficiently contribute to MSF\'s social mission.

As part of the Global Procurement Unit, the Global Direct Category Buyer will:

Report hierarchically to the Head of the Global Direct Procurement.
Work closely with QA counterparts at international and Supply Centers level, the regional hubs, other Category Buyers and the buyer community and working groups affiliated to the Category.
Interact with other stakeholders within and outside the MSF movement: International Legal Department (ILD), Heads of Procurement and Buyers of other NGOs and UN entities.

III. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The overall objective of this position is to develop and lead Global Procurement Strategies to manage and optimize the procurement spend of the Categories under their responsibility, to ensure that they are pertinent, efficient and respond to the global needs of MSF.

IV. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Build a comprehensive analysis of the category and a strategy that responds to the needs of MSF entities and that is in line with the strategic objectives of the Global Procurement Unit.

Build a global picture of the category to provide an analysis on current situation and priorities.
Establish the right channels of communication and processes to capture the needs from the different entities.
Based on the above and on the strategic objectives of the GPU, formulate the strategic priorities for the category.
Operationalise these strategic priorities into an action plan. Anticipate risks, resources and stakeholders to be engaged.

2. Lead the strategic procurement activities for the category.

Perform the sourcing process for goods or services under assigned categories, in compliance with the procurement policy, the category strategy and the internal clients\' requirements.
Develop and maintain deep knowledge of market factors & trends affecting assigned categories, to develop supply chain optimization and risk mitigation strategies.
Define, monitor and analyse the key indicators to follow your activity. Ensure that they respond to the needs of the entities, identify improvement areas and capitalize on them.

3. Manage and develop Supplier Relationships and serve as MSF focal point for the strategic suppliers under Category responsibility.

Perform supplier segmentation and steer supplier relationships to develop a reliable and balanced supplier base.
Implement a differentiated approach to developing strategic partnerships with priority suppliers and ensure unified messaging from MSF to the suppliers, while rationalizing the Tail-End supply base.
Monitor supplier performance and ensure that structural corrective actions are taken when necessary. Handle escalations and strive to ensure issue resolution as well as mitigation.
Encourage the engagement of suppliers into sustainability assessment.

4. Define, develop and maintain a network of stakeholders as procurement focal point for the Category.

Know the main actors and key stakeholders for the category. Develop and mobilise a network required to smoothly carry out the activities under your responsibility.
Develop and maintain a smooth flow of communication and feedback on the category activities to keep your stakeholders up to date and capture their feedback and areas of improvement.
Give advice to internal stakeholders, line management and other stakeholders based on the Category expertise.
Network with other actors / NGOs to develop Market and general Category expertise and identify potential opportunities.

5. Problem-solving

Being able to develop and maintain close links with around 5 QA counterparts at international and Supply Centers level, 3 regional hubs and the buyer community and working groups affiliated to the Category to ensure an in-depth understanding of multiple entities needs.
Inside the frame of the strategic orientations of the GPU validated by the Executive Supply Chain Committee (ESCC), autonomy to lead the strategic procurement activities for the assigned category to respond at best to MSF global needs.
Capacity to operationalize this strategy in action plan in coordination with all MSF entities involved and with an end-to-end perspective (only for direct).

V. DIMENSIONS

Average 10M Euros of procurement spend coordinated for a specific category.
Average 5 projects to lead.

VI. REQUIREMENTS

Practical / technical knowledge

Bachelor’s degree in business, with ideally a specialization in purchasing or project management, or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.
5+ years of experience in Procurement or Supply-related function, of which 2+ years in strategic procurement including vendor management.
Direct work experience in a complex multi-entity organization.
Experience in global contracting and negotiations.
Direct work experience in one of the 3 MSF European Supply Centers is a strong asset.
Experience in project management is an added value.

Planning and organizing

Excellent strategic planning and analytical skills.
Strong organizational skills, ability to handle multiple priorities at one time.

Communicating and influencing

Demonstrate independent initiative, drive for change, improvement and innovation.
Excellent communication skills, assertiveness negotiation and influencing skills.
Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.
Team player with strong customer orientation.

Practical requirements

Proficiency in standard office tools including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and data management.
Fluent spoken and written English. Good command of French is a strong asset.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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