Category Buyer

Description:

We are seeking a senior procurement professional to join Alcatel Submarine Networks - global leader in the design and manufacture of subsea telecom cabling.

This role will be focused on our marine category, responsible for identifying, optimising and managing supplier relationships for the outsourced marine survey services we use on our subsea projects.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for pre and post subcontract award management:

Support bid teams with cost estimates for outsourced marine survey services.
Work with project and technical stakeholders to identify survey requirements and develop effective sourcing strategies.
Identify and assess potential suppliers through market research, screening and competitive tendering.
Manage RFQs, supplier clarifications, bid evaluations and commercial assessments.
Prepare bid summaries and purchasing recommendations for internal stakeholders.
Coordinate technical evaluations with marine survey specialists and project teams.
Lead commercial and contractual negotiations and award contracts to selected suppliers.
Ensure purchase requisitions and orders are approved in SAP before contract commencement.
Manage contract execution, variations and commercial issues through to completion.
Ensure contractual obligations are clearly communicated to relevant internal stakeholders.
Manage the marine survey supplier portfolio, including onboarding, risk assessments, financial and QHSE screening, compliance and performance reviews.
Own and implement the Marine Survey Purchasing Strategy, covering sourcing priorities, supplier portfolio, market capacity and competitiveness.
Monitor supplier markets, vessel availability, commercial conditions and industry developments.
Identify and qualify new suppliers to maintain competition, capacity and market coverage.
Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Drive purchasing KPIs, focusing on cost savings, payment terms, supplier performance, quality and HSE.
Develop key and preferred supplier relationships and longer-term sourcing agreements in line with ASN's purchasing strategy.
Maintain historical cost data, market benchmarks and commercial intelligence to support accurate project costing.
Monitor contracted costs against project budgets, identifying variances and commercial risks.
Coach and develop junior purchasing colleagues, sharing knowledge of ASN projects, processes and suppliers.

About You

Degree or Industry Level qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement or similar
Demonstrable experience as Category Buyer, Commodity Buyer of project related services
Background working on offshore, marine, wind/energy, subsea or similar projects - highly beneficial
Experience managing RFQs, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations and service contracts
Experience working with international suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders
Good understanding of contractual and commercial principles