For our client, we are looking for an experienced Senior Procurement Professional / Category Manager with a strong focus on Automation & Industrial Technology within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in strategic procurement, category management, supplier management, and complex commercial negotiations, combined with a solid understanding of industrial automation technologies. The role involves developing and executing the Automation Procurement category strategy, managing key OEMs, technology suppliers, and system integrators, and leading sourcing activities for automation equipment, systems, software, services, and CAPEX projects. The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, IT/OT, Quality, Validation, and Supply Chain teams to optimize costs, manage supplier performance and risks, and ensure effective procurement throughout the automation lifecycle.
Start date: 01.10.26
End date: 30.09.27 (Option for extension)
Duration: 1 year (with option to extend)
Workload: 100%
Location: Canton Valais
Tasks & Responsibilities
- Own and develop the Automation Procurement category strategy, aligned with business, engineering, manufacturing, and global procurement objectives.
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies for automation equipment, systems, software, services, spare parts, maintenance, and lifecycle support.
- Manage strategic relationships with automation OEMs, technology suppliers, system integrators, and service providers.
- Lead supplier selection, qualification, negotiations, and contract management, including pricing, frameworks, licensing, maintenance, warranties, and commercial terms.
- Analyze spend, supplier markets, and technology trends to identify cost optimization, standardization, and value-creation opportunities.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Automation, Manufacturing, IT/OT, Quality, Validation, Supply Chain, and Project teams.
- Lead procurement activities for CAPEX and manufacturing projects, from early design through sourcing, contracting, delivery, commissioning, and handover.
- Support technical-commercial evaluations of automation solutions, considering technical requirements, validation, lifecycle costs, and project timelines.
- Manage supplier performance and mitigate supply, commercial, lifecycle, and single-source risks.
- Drive strategies for technology upgrades, obsolescence, modernization, and lifecycle management.
Must Haves
- 10+ years of experience in Procurement, preferably in strategic procurement or category management.
- Proven experience in supplier management, strategic sourcing, and commercial negotiations.
- Experience working with SAP and SAP Ariba.
- Experience managing stakeholders in a multinational environment.
- Strong understanding of industrial automation and/or engineering-related procurement.
- Experience in pharmaceutical/GMP environments is a strong advantage.
- Educational background in Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- Fluent English; German is a plus.