Senior Category Buyer Precision Machining

Frencken Mechatronics B.V.; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Frencken Mechatronics B.V. in the Netherlands is seeking a Category Buyer – Precision Machining to shape our global procurement strategy.

You will collaborate with the Global Category Manager and cross‑functional teams to secure advanced machined components, optimize value, and ensure supply continuity across international projects. You will lead supplier negotiations, establish strong partnerships, and drive commercial excellence while contributing to continuous improvement across the supply

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of strategic procurement or category management experience, preferably within Precision Machining.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience sourcing complex machined components within a high‑tech manufacturing environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Co‑develop and execute the short‑ and long‑term category strategy with the GCM and global Category Team.
• Partner with PPLs and multidisciplinary Program Teams to support priorities (supply continuity, cost optimization, quality, tech advancement).
• Act as the primary commercial interface for strategic suppliers, building strong partnerships.
• Lead commercial discussions, contract negotiations, and supplier agreements for best outcomes.
• Conduct supplier reviews, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify cost reduction, value engineering, and supply chain optimization opportunities.
• Develop supplier base by scouting, qualifying, onboarding, and phasing out underperformers.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Stakeholder management

Supplier relationship management

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Supply Chain/Business degree

Job description

Shape the Future of High-Tech Manufacturing

Are you an experienced procurement professional with a passion for precision machining and strategic 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 play a key role in sourcing highly complex and innovative technologies for cutting‑edge products and projects. Together with the Global Category Manager (GCM) and cross‑functional teams, you will develop and execute the category strategy, ensuring an optimal balance between technology, cost, quality, supply continuity, and risk. You will build (on) long‑term partnerships with strategic suppliers, drive commercial excellence, and contribute directly to the success of our global supply chain.

What You'll Be Doing

• Co‑develop and execute the short‑and‑long‑term category strategy 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.
• Act as the primary commercial interface for strategic suppliers, building strong and sustainable partnerships.
• Lead commercial discussions, contract negotiations, and supplier agreements to achieve the best commercial and technical outcomes.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews, monitor supplier performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, and supply chain optimization while mitigating commercial, operational, and quality risks.
• Develop and strengthen the supplier base by scouting, qualifying, and onboarding new suppliers, while phasing out underperforming or redundant suppliers where appropriate.
• Take ownership of supplier escalations and collaborate closely with Quality and Operational Procurement teams to resolve complex supply chain challenges.
• Support the execution of the global category strategy and contribute to the continuous development of procurement best practices.
• Escalate strategic issues when required to the Category Buying Manager.

What You Bring

• 5–10 years of strategic procurement or category management experience, preferably within Precision Machining.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree (BSc, BEng or MSc) in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience sourcing complex machined components within a high‑tech manufacturing environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with extensive experience in supplier negotiations and contract management.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence and obtain buy‑in at all organizational levels, including executive management.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and supplier performance improvement.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a collaborative, win‑win 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.

We are a global integrated technology solutions company that’s fully committed to providing complete and integrated one‑stop solutions in partnership with our valued customers. The Frencken Group serves customers in Europe, Asia, and the US through a global network of operating subsidiaries. The Group offers a comprehensive range of product solutions that span the entire value chain – from initial product design, development and prototyping, to engineering, final test, and series manufacturing. The comprehensive range of product solutions is enabled by leveraging the capabilities of our strategically located facilities in the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, and China.