We are seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Professional to lead the sourcing and category management of automation-related products, systems, equipment, software, and services within a highly regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
This is a strategic, high-impact role requiring a strong combination of procurement expertise, commercial acumen, and technical understanding of industrial automation technologies . The successful candidate will own the Automation Procurement category, drive value creation across the organization, and act as a trusted partner to Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, IT/OT, Quality, Validation, Supply Chain, and Project teams.
Key Responsibilities
Automation Category Management
- Develop and execute the Automation Procurement category strategy aligned with business, manufacturing, engineering, and global procurement objectives.
- Analyze spend, supplier markets, technology trends, and business requirements to identify sourcing opportunities and cost optimization initiatives.
- Establish sourcing strategies, framework agreements, preferred supplier programs, and commercial standards.
- Drive supplier consolidation and standardization initiatives where appropriate.
- Optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) across the full automation lifecycle, including acquisition, maintenance, upgrades, and support.
- Support long-term business objectives through strategic supplier and technology roadmaps.
Act as the procurement lead for a broad range of automation technologies, including:
- PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems
- Process control and batch automation platforms
- MES interfaces and manufacturing automation solutions
- Industrial networks and communication infrastructure
- Building and facility automation systems
- Industrial PCs and automation hardware
- Robotics and automated material handling systems
- Process instrumentation and control equipment
- Drives, motors, control panels, and electrical automation components
- Automation software, licensing, and cybersecurity services
- Data historians and production data systems
- Automation engineering, commissioning, integration, and support services
- Lifecycle management, modernization programs, and obsolescence mitigation
The successful candidate must be capable of engaging credibly with technical stakeholders and suppliers on product specifications, system architecture, technology selection, lifecycle considerations, and commercial implications.
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with major automation OEMs, technology vendors, distributors, system integrators, and engineering service providers.
- Lead supplier qualification, selection, and performance management activities.
- Negotiate complex commercial agreements, including pricing, framework contracts, software licensing, maintenance agreements, warranties, lead times, and service-level agreements.
- Drive continuous supplier performance improvements across cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and technical support.
- Develop mitigation strategies for single-source suppliers and critical technology dependencies.
- Manage negotiations related to legacy systems, technology upgrades, migrations, end-of-life programs, and long-term support agreements.
Project Procurement
- Lead procurement activities supporting CAPEX, facility expansion, manufacturing, process improvement, and technology projects.
- Partner with Engineering and Automation teams from concept design through supplier selection, contracting, installation, commissioning, and handover.
- Participate in technical-commercial evaluations and challenge supplier proposals where appropriate.
- Ensure procurement strategies support project timelines, GMP requirements, validation expectations, and lifecycle cost objectives.
Required Qualifications
Mandatory
- Minimum 10 years of experience in Strategic Procurement, Category Management, or Technical Sourcing.
- Proven experience managing stakeholders in complex multinational organizations.
- Strong track record of negotiating with technical suppliers, OEMs, and engineering service providers.
- Hands-on experience with SAP and Ariba .
- Fluent English, both written and spoken.
Preferred
- Degree in Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of GMP-regulated operations.
- German language skills are advantageous.
Candidate Profile
This is not a traditional purchasing role .
We are looking for a procurement leader who can operate confidently at the intersection of technology, engineering, and commercial strategy. The successful candidate must be capable of challenging suppliers, evaluating complex automation solutions, understanding system architectures, and driving value beyond price negotiations.
Only candidates with demonstrated experience in strategic procurement of industrial automation technologies, control systems, engineering services, or related technical categories will be considered.
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Senior Category Manager & Buyer Automation (m/w/d) Arbeitgeber: Manpower Switzerland
MANPOWER ist ein hervorragender Arbeitgeber, der seinen Mitarbeitenden in Olten nicht nur ein dynamisches Arbeitsumfeld bietet, sondern auch die Möglichkeit zur persönlichen und beruflichen Weiterentwicklung. Mit einem starken Fokus auf Teamarbeit und einer positiven Unternehmenskultur fördern wir die Zusammenarbeit und den Austausch von Ideen, während wir gleichzeitig attraktive Arbeitszeiten und umfassende Schulungsangebote bereitstellen. Unsere Mitarbeiter profitieren von einem abwechslungsreichen Aufgabenspektrum im Bereich Lackierung und haben die Chance, an spannenden Projekten mitzuarbeiten, die einen direkten Einfluss auf die Qualität unserer Fahrzeuge haben.
