Senior Director - Purchasing U.S.

GEA; Romeoville (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

12 paid holidays + 136 hours PTO

7% 401(k) employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness incentive program

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Health Savings and Spending

Job summary

GEA Group, a leading supplier of engineering solutions, seeks a seasoned procurement leader based in the US to drive direct and indirect procurement for FT US & LAM markets. You will negotiate contracts, manage supplier relations, and coordinate cross-functional teams to optimize cost, delivery, and quality.

The role requires strategic thinking, international experience, and a proven track record in scaling procurement networks while ensuring QHSE compliance and driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Master or bachelor’s degree in business administration or engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of multinational Supply Chain experience (procurement, planning, warehousing, logistics).
• Experience leading and implementing corporate Supply Chain networks.
• Deep understanding of contract management and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive procurement activities for the local FT organization.
• Develop and drive procurement activities for the GEA US & LAM Market and support LAM Hygiene site for strategic procurement needs.
• Responsible for direct and indirect procurement.
• Negotiate and participate in long-term vendor contracts.
• Secure availability of resources and materials, achieve cost and delivery targets.
• Synchronize production requirements with supplier flow to balance delivery, working capital, and spend.
• Manage Continuous Improvement of procurement processes and structure.
• Ensure compliance to QHSE regulations.
• Support execution of global supply chain strategic projects for local operations.
• Manage and coordinate key suppliers, assess supplier quality, ensure priorities and availability of products.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Vendor negotiation

Supply chain planning

English proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Master/Bachelor’s degree in business administration or engineering

Tools

e-Auction tools

ERP systems

Job description

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we’re not just building equipment, we’re building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 5 to over 11+ years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

Working at GEA Group has significant benefits:

• Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

Responsibilities / Tasks

• Work on strategic vision and initiatives for FT US & LAM
• Develop and drive procurement activities for the local FT organization in America’s
• Develop and drive procurement activities for the GEA US & LAM Market and support LAM Hygiene site for strategic procurement needs.
• Responsible for direct and indirect procurement
• Negotiate, involved in long term vendor contracts
• Secure availability of resources and materials, achieve the required performance targets in terms of cost and delivery time.
• Synchronize the requirements of local production with the flow of materials from suppliers in order to achieve a balance between, high delivery performances, low working capital, and low spend.
• Manage Continuous Improvement of procurement processes and structure (strategy, methods, tools, personnel development, etc.)
• Ensure compliance to QHSE regulations.
• Support the execution of the special global supply chain strategic projects as it relates to the local operation.
• Manage and coordinate key suppliers, assess supplier quality, secure priorities, availability of products and materials.
• Define pricing and contractual conditions, negotiate discounts and define terms of payment with suppliers.
• Set and control saving targets for the relevant categories and track Implementation of cost reduction projects, ensure standard spend and savings reporting.
• Develop and procurement team by special training in negotiations or using e-Auction tools
• Develop and implement a performance measurement system to manage the savings, on time delivery and quality of the suppliers
• Understand the customer needs and their specific requirements (Farm Business)
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and material requirements
• Lead projects for Make or Buy and drive for decisions & implementation.
• Identify and assess key strategic suppliers.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and drive procurement activities for the local FT organization.
• Develop and drive procurement activities for the GEA US & LAM Market and support LAM Hygiene site for strategic procurement needs.
• Responsible for direct and indirect procurement
• Will support $125M in annual purchase both direct and indirect for US and LAM market
• Develop purchasing organization and teams to work on a day-to-day basis and at strategic level

Your Profile / Qualifications

Educational Background

• Master/bachelor’s degree in business administration/ engineeringor equivalent educational level or

Professional Knowledge

• At least 5 years multinational Supply Chain (Procurement, Planning, Warehousing, Logistics) experience
• Experience in leading and implementation of corporate Supply Chain networks
• Profound know how of supply/demand planning, warehousing and logistics
• Work experience both in complex matrix and centralized organizations
• Deep understanding of business
• Experience in change-management
• Profound know how of contract management
• Profound project management skills
• Negotiation experience across the global supplier marketsn
• Experience in supplier management

Other Skills and Competencies

• English (proficient), preferably local language (fluent)
• Deep understanding of business on a broad international scale with developed focus on customer needs and fulfilment of customer expectations
• Open-minded and solution oriented, strong problem solving skills
• Team player, good net-worker and negotiator
• Very good communication skills
• Strong customer orientation
• Leadership skills, entrepreneurial competencies

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $130,000 - $160,000 per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States. The pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

Please note: This position is based in the United States and does not offer visa or work sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

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