Sr. Purchaser

The Purchaser is regionally responsible for maintaining transport suppliers in North America while collaborating closely with our global colleagues to procure the most comprehensive solutions for Vestas and our customers. They will influence and involve cross-functional stakeholders to deliver high procurement strategies while maintaining cost, quality, and on-time delivery.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for contributing to, defining, and implementing the procurement strategy for a wide variety of scopes within Direct/Indirect Materials in North America, with an annual spend of 500+ million Euro)
• Close collaboration with key local and global stakeholders, including construction, sales, project management, engineering, quality, legal and supply chain to optimize scope cost competitiveness
• Directly coordinate new and existing regional supplier relationships and leverage internal stakeholder/category relationships to maximize global supplier partnerships
• Develop strategic purchasing initiatives and develop reporting materials (PowerPoint presentations, business cases, etc.)
• Build supplier market intelligence and ensure that supply-base data is available to support business decisions
• Implement and supervise all aspects of the supplier development, contracting, and buy-to-pay processes, including proper risk management
• Be the primary point of escalation and resolution for scope-related supplier issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Masters' degree in global supply chain management, engineering or other related business studies
• 3+ years' work experience in procurement or other related supply chain management field
• Experience gathering market intelligence (understanding/interest in global markets, material trends, politics, etc.)
• Previous experience building business cases or strategies (for a category, commodity, piece of the supply chain or for a business unit, etc.)
• Advanced MS Excel (minimum of pivot tables, v-look up, etc.)
• Contract management experience
• Advanced negotiation experience for supplier negotiations (Direct negotiation experienced)
• Industry experience (renewables, energy, manufacturing/factory environment, etc.) is desired
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite computer skills (Windows, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, SAP and additional software programs)
• Effective written and oral communication skills; able to express oneself clearly and in technical and non-technical terms in English
• Ability to work flexible hours and with a variety of cultures (coordinating with various time zones)
• Ability to effectively develop a cross-functional team that may include internal, external, domestic and international stakeholders
• Ability to travel as business requires

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Solution-oriented, problem solver
• Cross-cultural skills (will work as part of an international team)
• Ability to prioritize in a time-sensitive situation
• High-level business insight (understanding of financial statements, cash flow, EBIT, inventory, etc.)
• Project Management skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Advanced ability to create and deliver presentations and business cases
• Ability to develop a cross-functional team
• Aptitude for construction and transport of large goods or technology (basic understanding of construction, engineering, or manufacturing concepts, i.e., ability to read drawings or knowledge of machining, forging, casting, welding, assembly, etc.)
• Candidate needs to be self-motivated, find opportunities, and have the ability to make independent decisions
• The role requires experience that has grown into a strategic purchasing role, not only operational procurement.