(Senior) Buyer

(Senior) Buyer Salary: 70.000-95.000 Location: Rotterdam Keywords: procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiation, cost optimisation, data-driven decision-making, inventory management, stakeholder engagement, multi-site operations, professional growth

The Opportunity

An exceptional opportunity awaits an experienced procurement professional to join a forward-thinking organisation as a Senior Buyer in Rotterdam. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on building strong supplier relationships, driving cost optimisation, and supporting business objectives across multiple operational sites.

With a competitive salary range of €70,000 - €95,000, this position offers the chance to make a tangible impact by leading sourcing activities, negotiating contracts, and ensuring the seamless acquisition of goods and services. The successful candidate will benefit from exposure to diverse procurement challenges, opportunities for professional development, and the support of a collaborative team that values transparency and sustainability.

If you are passionate about delivering value through innovative procurement strategies and eager to advance your career within a supportive environment, this is the perfect next step.

What We Offer

• A highly competitive salary between €70,000 - €95,000 with clear opportunities for advancement based on your experience and performance.
• A collaborative and transparent environment where your expertise in procurement will directly influence efficiency and value creation across multiple sites.
• Ongoing professional development within a team that prioritises sustainability, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement in all aspects of procurement.

Your Role as Senior Buyer

As a Senior Buyer based in Rotterdam, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s procurement landscape. Your responsibilities will involve working closely with both central procurement functions and local operational teams to ensure efficient and transparent purchasing activities. You will drive cost optimisation initiatives by leveraging your expertise in strategic sourcing and contract negotiation while fostering strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders alike.

Key Responsibilities:

• Source and procure goods, materials, and services in alignment with organisational requirements while upholding quality standards and best practices.
• Support operational sites by managing purchase orders accurately and ensuring timely processing to maintain uninterrupted supply chains.
• Collaborate closely with operations teams to proactively manage stock levels, preventing shortages and optimising inventory availability.
• Oversee assigned spend categories including OPEX, consumables, services, and selected CapEx items to ensure effective budget utilisation.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities such as RFx processes, negotiations with suppliers, comprehensive evaluations, and contract awards.
• Contribute to group-wide projects focused on supplier consolidation and regional tendering initiatives to drive efficiency gains.
• Review inventory management practices alongside site stock keepers to establish minimum or critical stock levels while rationalising ordering processes.
• Act as a trusted procurement partner to operational site teams by engaging stakeholders early in the decision-making process for maximum impact.
• Balance operational requirements with commercial negotiations by supporting sourcing decisions that consider pricing structures, indexation mechanisms, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Monitor supplier performance rigorously while managing ongoing commercial relationships to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

What You Bring

To excel as a Senior Buyer in this organisation, you will bring a wealth of relevant experience gained from similar roles within complex or asset-intensive sectors. Your background should reflect not only technical expertise but also an ability to work collaboratively across multiple sites while maintaining high standards of governance and transparency.

Qualifications & Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is essential; CIPS or NEVI certification would be advantageous for this position.
• 4–8 years of proven experience in procurement or strategic sourcing roles within asset-intensive industries such as waste management, recycling, utilities, logistics or manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success in delivering measurable cost savings through effective negotiation strategies and supplier management techniques.
• Experience operating confidently within multi-site or decentralised environments where collaboration across locations is vital.

Skills & Competencies:

Hard Skills:

• Expertise in strategic sourcing methodologies combined with advanced commercial negotiation skills for securing favourable terms.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools to support evidence-based sourcing decisions and performance tracking.
• Comprehensive understanding of supplier relationship management principles including contract compliance monitoring.
• Solid knowledge of contracting processes coupled with hands-on inventory management capabilities for efficient resource allocation.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication abilities enabling you to present insights clearly while engaging stakeholders constructively throughout the procurement cycle.
• A pragmatic approach to problem-solving complemented by strong collaboration skills that foster teamwork across departments.

Why Join Us?

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and collaborative progress within the procurement function:

1. Empowered Work Environment: Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work while benefiting from supportive leadership that fosters knowledge sharing at all levels.
2. Transparency & Inclusion: The company’s focus on transparency ensures every team member understands how their contributions drive broader business objectives—creating an inclusive culture where everyone’s input is valued.
3. Professional Growth Opportunities: Exposure to diverse challenges spanning multiple operational sites allows employees to refine existing processes or spearhead new initiatives.
4. Flexibility & Well-being: The workplace environment is designed around flexibility—enabling you to balance personal development goals with meaningful contributions toward organisational success.

If you are seeking an employer that prioritises both individual well-being and collective achievement within a modern procurement context, this is the ideal setting for your next career move.

What’s Next?

If you are ready to take your procurement career to new heights within an organisation that values your expertise and supports your growth ambitions:

Apply today! Submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience via the "Apply" button for immediate consideration.

Note: This vacancy is intended for direct recruitment only—agency inquiries will not be considered.

This role is managed by Walters People B.V., trading under the name Robert Walters.