Procurement Lead - Strategic Site Buyer

Procurement Lead - Technical Indirect Procurement

An international manufacturer is looking to appoint an experienced Procurement Lead to take ownership of all technical indirect procurement activities for one of its flagship production sites in Antwerp.

This is a highly autonomous position where you'll act as the procurement lead for the site, working closely with engineering, maintenance and operations teams to ensure the continuous supply of critical equipment required to keep a complex manufacturing facility operating safely and efficiently.

Unlike many indirect procurement positions, this role is not focused on corporate categories such as HR, IT or professional services
. Instead, you'll be responsible for sourcing technical equipment, maintenance materials and engineering components essential to plant operations.

Reporting into the wider European Procurement organisation, you will:

• Lead all technical indirect procurement activities for the Antwerp manufacturing site.
• Develop sourcing strategies for maintenance, engineering and operational requirements.
• Manage procurement of technical equipment including:
• Pumps
• Rotating equipment
• Valves
• Instrumentation
• Electrical components
• Mechanical spare parts
• Other production-critical MRO equipment
• Build strong relationships with engineering, maintenance and operations stakeholders.
• Negotiate supplier agreements and manage supplier performance.
• Ensure continuity of supply for critical plant equipment.
• Lead and develop an experienced Junior Buyer.
• Coordinate additional procurement support during plant shutdowns and turnaround activities.

We're looking for someone who understands industrial manufacturing environments and enjoys working closely with technical stakeholders.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in strategic or technical procurement within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience purchasing technical equipment rather than corporate services.
• Exposure to maintenance, engineering or MRO procurement.
• Excellent supplier negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work independently while managing procurement for an entire manufacturing site.
• Fluent Dutch and English.

Candidates are likely to come from industries such as:

• Chemicals
• Oil & Gas
• Refining
• Process Manufacturing
• Heavy Industry
• Offshore
• Power Generation
• Industrial Manufacturing

Candidates from other sectors will also be considered where they have significant experience purchasing technical plant equipment.

Experience sourcing any of the following would be highly advantageous:

• Pumps
• Rotating equipment
• Instrumentation
• Electrical equipment
• Mechanical components
• Valves
• Maintenance materials
• Plant spare parts
• MRO categories

The successful candidate will be confident working with engineers, maintenance managers and operational teams, understanding the urgency of keeping a manufacturing facility running while balancing commercial objectives.

We're also open to candidates who have transitioned from an engineering background into procurement, provided they have developed sufficient commercial experience and the maturity to manage a complex stakeholder environment.

This is primarily an on-site role due to the close interaction with operational teams.

There is flexibility around home working (typically one day per week), together with flexible start and finish times.

• 15% annual bonus
• Fully electric company car
• €120 net monthly representation allowance
• Approximately 38 days annual leave plus public holidays

This is an opportunity to own procurement for a major manufacturing site within a global organisation, combining strategic sourcing with day-to-day operational impact. You'll have real autonomy, significant stakeholder exposure, leadership responsibility and the chance to influence procurement across a technically complex manufacturing environment.