Strategic Purchaser (m/w/d)

At NexWafe, we are developing a pioneering process to produce silicon wafers with fewer process steps, resulting in significant savings in production costs, energy consumption and CO??? emissions.

To support our ongoing projects and initiatives, we are looking for a skilled Strategic Purchaser (m/f/d) with solid technical background to join our team in Freiburg im Breisgau.

As a Strategic Purchaser, your key responsibilities will include liaising with the engineering department to ensure that programme objectives and cost targets are achieved, in line with other company-wide strategic goals. This position may also be offered as a limited-term contract (12-18 months).

Join our global team, help shape the future of renewable energy, and explore exciting career opportunities at NexWafe!

Your Mission

• Ensure relevant procurement activities are managed end-to-end-from understanding downstream needs to supporting related aftermarket activities.
• Drive early and late-stage procurement involvement in strategically important development projects, as well as in sourcing materials and components.
• Lead procurement project management activities.
• Act as a key interface between the engineering department, purchasing, and suppliers.
• Identify, assess, select, and develop suppliers in collaboration with technical, project, and quality teams.
• Process orders for technically complex requirements, ensuring control over cost, timeline, and quality.
• Critically review procurement processes, identify gaps, and initiate improvement measures.
• Develop, align, and present sourcing strategies in coordination with the line manager and internal stakeholders for the assigned scope of work.

Your profile

• Commercial or technical degree, ideally complemented by an MBA or a comparable qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience as a Strategic Purchaser -preferably in semiconductors, silicon wafers, photovoltaics, electronics, high-tech products, or industrial coating systems.
• Proven expertise in managing purchasing projects, including milestone tracking, process implementation, and category management.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings and complex specifications.
• Experience negotiating with capital equipment vendors, as well as suppliers of raw materials and chemicals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with suppliers, enabling creative negotiation approaches and improved delivery timelines.
• Team-oriented mindset with resilience, a structured approach, and a solution-focused attitude.
• Proactive and self-driven personality.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and German.

Why us?

• A diverse team: Short decision-making processes, flat hierarchies and collaboration with experts from different areas await you.
• A diverse and exciting job: A company that contributes to the commercialisation of environmentally friendly solar energy with a low carbon footprint.
• Stability with a certain degree of flexibility: A permanent position with flexible working hours.
• Attractive remuneration programme: An attractive salary, a company pension scheme and profit-sharing for employees.
• Healthy balance: Take your physical and mental health to the next level with an annual health budget and a HanseFit membership!
• Expand your language skills: Optimise your career prospects with the English and German courses offered.