Senior Buyer DACH

Location: Germany - Freiburg

Laboratoires Pierre Fabre employs more than 10 000 people in 41 countries.
The company's products can be found in all areas of the healthcare sector,
from prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines to dermo-cosmetics.

Your mission

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Buyer DACH to take ownership of Procurement activities and performance across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), supporting our Dermo-Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals subsidiaries. Reporting to the Corporate Procurement Department, you will work closely with the Group Purchasing Department (Corporate Procurement Manager & European Sourcing Manager) to drive major procurement topics, identify synergies across the group, and implement Global/Regional Procurement strategies. You will also play a key role in the deployment of our international common ERP tool (SAP ARIBA) across the DACH region.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Performance & Strategy

• Own Procurement activity and performance (savings achievement) for the German affiliate
• Increase the Procurement maturity level in Germany to prepare the international ERP deployment (supplier rationalization, contract coverage, preferred supplier lists, KPI roadmap follow-up)
• Deploy Global/Regional/Local sourcing strategies based on Category Management
• Propose a rationalized panel of suppliers for each major purchasing category
• Establish sourcing strategies and launch major tenders in DACH for key projects
• Negotiate with suppliers and manage the supplier selection process
• Manage and negotiate supplier contracts on behalf of subsidiaries
• Chair regular performance reviews with selected suppliers
• Monitor suppliers' financial health and mutual dependency with the Group
• Potentially lead regional category strategies / European tenders adding value for the German affiliate

Category Strategy Development

• Analyze supplier markets (via RFIs) and identify best practices
• Define and achieve targeted savings by category
• Build and rationalize the supplier panel per commodity, in coordination with the Global Category Manager
• Identify the Group's strategic suppliers

Operational Performance & Negotiation

• Initiate and manage call-for-tender processes and contract re-negotiations
• Negotiate commercial conditions and ensure correct application in price catalogs and purchase orders
• Negotiate contracts in liaison with requesting departments, Finance, HR, or External Legal Counsel
• Identify sources of savings and synergies across Branches and Commercial Departments
• Define and deploy KPIs to measure supplier performance
• Propose breakaway business models to optimize Cost, Quality, and Time

Requirements

• 5 years of higher education (university or business school), with training in purchasing or equivalent professional experience
• 5–10 years of experience as an Indirect Buyer with strong knowledge of purchasing processes (panel strategy, tenders, supplier performance assessment)
• Proven autonomy and responsibility in managing Purchasing processes
• Strong negotiation experience and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization
• Knowledge and experience with SAP ARIBA
• Excellent ability to propose and implement breakaway initiatives
• Strong analytical and project management skills
• Good knowledge of local markets
• International/regional experience is a plus
• Fluent German and English; French is a plus
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Benefits

• An attractive and secure role at a forward-thinking pharmaceutical company based on the Pierre Fabre Foundation
• Two days of remote working per week, if desired
• An attractive range of additional benefits (Jobrad, a pension scheme that goes well beyond a 15 per cent employer contribution, staff shop for our dermo-cosmetic products, free skin screenings etc.)
• High-quality work equipment, including height-adjustable desks in an open-plan office
• Ongoing support through targeted coaching and training programmes
• A dynamic team in which trust, enjoyment of work and a spirit of camaraderie play a major role

We are convinced that diversity is a source of fulfillment, social balance and complementarity for our employees, which is why our offers are open to all, without restriction.