Strategic Buyers / Category Managers from Various Industries (m/f/d)

Company: IProLoop, Procure+ / Expert Services
Location: International / remote / hybrid / on-site as required
Engagement model: Freelance, partner model, project-based or permanent employment possible
Experience: Ideally at least 5 years of professional experience in strategic procurement, category management or supply chain management

About IProLoop
IProLoop supports companies with practical, integrated and implementation-oriented services in the areas of strategic and operational procurement, supply chain management, network and cloud security, and professional training.

Through our Procure+ service area, we support companies in the practical implementation of strategic and operational procurement activities across direct and indirect categories, including CAPEX and OPEX requirements. This includes the professional development and management of categories, the analysis of spend volumes, supplier structures, BOM-related requirements, pricing and contract foundations, as well as the development of robust sourcing and supplier strategies.

Our approach combines benchmarking, category strategy, supplier management, negotiation and operational implementation. The objective is to make cost potential visible, improve supplier performance, reduce risks and make procurement decisions transparent, measurable and executable. As a practice-oriented HUB, IProLoop connects internal requirements, suppliers, timelines and stakeholders to turn procurement needs into reliable execution.

The Opportunity

• We are expanding our international network of procurement experts and are looking for experienced strategic buyers, category managers and procurement specialists from various industries.
• We are looking for professionals with solid experience in strategic and operational procurement, in structuring and managing categories, and in developing and implementing procurement strategies.
• Experience in areas such as industry, mechanical engineering, automotive, IT, engineering, construction, energy, production, technical services, indirect procurement, CAPEX, OPEX or project-based procurement is particularly relevant.
• It is not necessary to cover all categories or industries. You may focus on specific sectors, material groups, services or procurement areas where your professional strengths and practical experience are strongest.

Key Responsibilities

• You support clients in strategic and/or operational procurement, including the analysis and professional management of categories.
• You develop category strategies based on spend analyses, supplier structures, market information, demand profiles, risks and savings potential.
• You analyse material groups, supplier portfolios, procurement volumes, price structures, contractual situations and commercial conditions.
• You support the structuring of BOM-related procurement requirements, technical specifications, material numbers, drawing parts and production-related procurement needs.
• You support tenders, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier comparisons, quotation analyses and award decisions.
• You lead or support supplier negotiations, including pricing, commercial terms, framework agreements and delivery conditions.
• You identify savings potential, process improvements, bundling opportunities, alternative suppliers and possible make-or-buy approaches.
• You support the development of supplier strategies, supplier evaluations, escalation processes and performance management.
• You collaborate with internal and external stakeholders from procurement, engineering, production, logistics, quality, finance, legal and management.
• Optionally, you may also support IProLoop in client projects, quick assessments, procurement reviews, workshops and operational implementation programmes.
• Experience with SAP, ERP systems, material master data, BOM structures, technical specifications, TCO analyses, contract management or international supplier markets is an advantage.

What We Offer

• We offer you the opportunity to become part of an international and growth-oriented procurement and expert network.
• You benefit from flexible engagement models depending on your availability, specialization and project experience.
• We provide a professional working environment with clear structures, prepared processes and operational support.
• Depending on the role and engagement model, remuneration may be based on project days, work packages, modules, project-based assignments or long-term cooperation models.
• You will have the opportunity to contribute to international client projects, procurement optimization initiatives, category management projects, supplier projects and strategic procurement programmes.

Application
Please send us the following documents and information:

Your CV or LinkedIn profile, your areas of expertise, your industry experience, the categories or procurement areas in which you have experience, your SAP/ERP experience, your availability and your preferred engagement model.

Optionally, you may also submit a short expert profile, example projects or categories that you have previously developed, managed or optimized.

Please send your application to:
hr@iproloop.com