Global Direct Category Buyer

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Position Title: Global Direct Category Buyer
Location: Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Brussels
Country: Netherlands, France, Belgium
Deadline Date: 26.02.2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency aid to individuals affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion, and natural disasters. Founded in 1971, MSF operates in over 70 countries and is known for its commitment to providing assistance based solely on need, without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or political affiliation. MSF International serves as the legal entity that unites MSF's 24 sections and 25 associations, providing coordination, information, and support to the MSF Movement while implementing international projects and initiatives as required.

Job Overview:
The Global Direct Category Buyer is a pivotal role within the Global Procurement Unit (GPU) of MSF International. This position is responsible for developing and leading global procurement strategies to manage and optimize procurement spending for specific categories. The buyer will ensure that procurement activities align with the strategic objectives of the GPU and respond effectively to the global needs of MSF. The role involves close collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders, including quality assurance teams, legal departments, and other NGOs, to ensure compliance and efficiency in procurement processes. The buyer will also be tasked with building comprehensive analyses of categories, operationalizing strategic priorities into actionable plans, and managing supplier relationships to foster sustainability and performance improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive analyses of assigned categories to develop strategies that align with MSF's needs and objectives.
• Lead strategic procurement activities, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and internal requirements.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of market trends affecting assigned categories to optimize supply chains and mitigate risks.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators to identify areas for improvement in procurement activities.
• Manage supplier relationships, performing segmentation and ensuring a balanced supplier base.
• Implement strategies for developing partnerships with priority suppliers and rationalizing the supply base.
• Define and maintain a network of stakeholders, facilitating communication and feedback on category activities.
• Provide expert advice to internal stakeholders and collaborate with other NGOs to enhance market and category expertise.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a deep understanding of procurement processes. They should demonstrate a capacity for strategic thinking and problem-solving, with a proven ability to manage supplier relationships effectively. Experience in a similar role within a humanitarian or international organization is highly desirable. Candidates should also be adept at working in multicultural environments and possess strong negotiation skills.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field is required. A master's degree or additional certifications in procurement or supply chain management is preferred, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and commitment to the field.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, preferably within the humanitarian sector or international organizations. Experience in managing complex procurement processes and supplier relationships is essential, along with a track record of developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with organizational goals.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within MSF. Proficiency in French or Dutch is highly desirable, given the locations of the role and the diverse nature of MSF's operations. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to MSF's operational contexts would be an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is a permanent contract at 100% workload, with a starting date as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application. The role involves significant responsibility, with an average procurement spend of 14 million Euros coordinated for specific categories and an average of 5 projects to lead.