Senior Category Buyer
DEME · Belgium
As a Category Buyer within the Marine Machinery at DEME, you will take on a strategic role in managing and optimizing procurement categories essential to our fleet, equipment, and project-supporting activities. You will develop and implement category strategies for a wide range of products and services — from technical components and workshop equipment to project‑critical consumables and support services.With your market expertise, technical affinity, and experience, you will build sustainable supplier relationships and ensure cost‑efficient, reliable, and high‑quality supply chains. You will collaborate closely with project teams, vessel teams, engineering, warehousing, and operations to provide procurement solutions that create real value for DEME.
Your responsibilities
Develop and implement a category strategy for Marine Machinery and Equipment ‑related goods and services with focus on cost efficiency, availability, quality, and risk control.
Identify optimization and standardization opportunities across the supply chain.
Build, develop, and manage a network of technically capable and financially solid suppliers.
Achieve performance improvements in pricing, lead times, sustainability, and quality levels.
Lead high‑level negotiations and establish contracts, framework agreements, SLAs, NDA, and establish and price lists.
Ensure full compliance with internal procedures and legal requirements.
Work closely with projects, vessel management, technical departments, QHSE, and warehousing to define requirements and identify the best sourcing solutions.
Participate in cross‑functional teams focused on sourcing initiatives, standardization, and continuous improvement.
Conduct root cause analyses on recurring supply issues and drive structural corrective actions.
Support TCO optimization, inventory considerations, and lifecycle‑focused purchasing.
Report to the Category Manager Marine Machinery and contribute to category plans, KPI reviews, and strategic reporting.
Your profile
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Applied Economics, Business Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent through experience.
Several years of relevant procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in a maritime, technical, or industrial environment.
Strong affinity with technical components, marine equipment, and industrial systems.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical mindset with a result‑driven approach and TCO understanding.
Fluent in English; knowledge of Dutch and/or other languages is an asset.
Good understanding of contracts, and hands on experience in contract management.
Proficient in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint); knowledge of ERP or analytics tools is an advantage.
Team player with a proactive attitude, ownership, integrity, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Motivated to work in a dynamic, international, and hands‑on project environment.
Our offer
A challenging role with tangible impact in a critical supporting category of DEME.
Continuous development opportunities through DEME Academy and potential career growth within procurement & operations.
A technical and innovative workplace focused on optimization and collaboration.
A people‑oriented culture with attention to wellbeing and work‑life balance.
A competitive salary package including a company car and attractive benefits.