Lead Buyer – Strategic Site Procurement Lead

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Procurement Lead – Strategic Site Buyer to own indirect procurement at a major industrial manufacturing site in Antwerp. The role combines technical knowledge with commercial acumen to secure supply, optimise costs and drive procurement excellence across engineering, operations and project teams.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, implement and continuously improve procurement processes, governance and best practices.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including needs analysis, tendering, supplier negotiations and Total Cost of Ownership optimisation.
• Build, evaluate and manage a high‑performing supplier and contractor network with a focus on quality, performance and risk management.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle, covering renewals, negotiations, performance monitoring and support for major CAPEX projects.
• Lead, coach and develop procurement team members to maximise departmental performance.
• Collaborate with regional and global procurement colleagues to share market intelligence, identify synergies and drive continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with operational and business objectives.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Business Economics, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.
• Approximately 8 years of experience in strategic or technical procurement within an industrial environment.
• Experience in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing or oil & gas sectors.
• Previous leadership or people‑management experience is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting engineering or CAPEX projects is advantageous.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing and technical procurement.
• Experience purchasing engineered equipment, technical materials and industrial services.
• Solid understanding of contract management and commercial negotiations.
• Knowledge of Purchase‑to‑Pay (P2P) and Source‑to‑Settle (S2S) processes.
• Proficiency with procurement systems such as SAP MM and Coupa.

What we offer

• Opportunity to join a leading international industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strategic procurement role with significant influence on site performance.
• Leadership responsibilities with opportunities for professional growth.