Strategic Buyer (m/f/d)

To strengthen our Strategic Purchasing Team, we are looking for an experienced Strategic Buyer (m/f/d)! In this role, you will take on strategic purchasing responsibility for defined product groups across several European countries and regions. You will work closely with internal departments and international partners, and play an active role in shaping the future development of our European purchasing operations.

YOUR TASKS

• You independently manage the strategic procurement activities for defined commodity groups across various European locations, developing and implementing commodity and supplier strategies aligned with business objectives, market requirements, and long-term sourcing goals
• You analyze international markets, supplier landscapes, and technological developments, identify new sourcing opportunities as well as best-cost-country initiatives, and derive strategic actions from your findings
• You manage your supplier portfolio and act as the primary point of contact for strategic suppliers within your assigned commodity groups, including supplier approvals, evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• You conduct market analyses, benchmarking, cost and total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluations, prepare cost breakdown analyses, compare suppliers and markets, and leverage bundling opportunities to optimize procurement costs
• You independently lead price and contract negotiations with suppliers, develop effective negotiation strategies, and secure competitive commercial terms
• You plan and manage tendering processes (RFQs/RFPs), evaluate supplier proposals, and support well-informed sourcing decisions based on strategic and commercial criteria
• You monitor and manage supplier performance, conduct risk assessments, oversee supplier capacity and security of supply, and implement appropriate measures to address critical issues such as quality, delivery performance, or capacity constraints
• You analyze and resolve supplier deviations, coordinate problem-solving activities with internal stakeholders, and collaborate closely with cross-functional departments, including Legal, to ensure compliance with procurement processes and to establish and maintain contractual documentation
• You report procurement performance, cost savings, and key performance indicators (KPIs), contributing to the continuous strategic development of the procurement function YOUR PROFILE
• You have successfully completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Industrial Engineering, Engineering, Procurement, or a related field. Alternatively, you have a technical degree combined with a Master's degree in Procurement or Supply Chain
• You have at least 5 years of professional experience in strategic procurement
• You have strong analytical skills and work in a structured and accurate way. You understand procurement strategies, cost structures, and business processes
• You have experience in international supplier management and working with global suppliers, ideally in the railway industry
• You have strong negotiation and communication skills and are able to analyze complex market and supplier information to make well-informed strategic decisions
• You enjoy working in international and multicultural teams and feel comfortable in a European business environment
• You are proactive, take ownership of your work, and have a solution-oriented mindset and you don’t mind travelling to Germany once a month
• You have very good written and spoken English skills. German is an advantage, and additional European language skills are a plus YOUR BENEFITS AT AKIEM
• Flexible working hours to support a healthy work-life balance
• A lived company culture characterized by teamwork and openness
• A dynamic, international working environment with flat hierarchies
• Freedom to contribute ideas and actively shape business development
• A motivated team with strong cohesion and mutual support
• Personal and professional development opportunities in a future-oriented company
• Diverse career opportunities driven by continuous growth
• Modern office spaces and a pleasant working atmosphere Have we piqued your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your application via our career portal! We are actively committed to inclusion and create a working environment in which diversity is valued, equal opportunities are practiced and everyone can contribute their strengths - we look forward to hearing from you!