Piping Category Specialist and Buyer

For our client, a global leader in the life sciences industry based in Visp, we are looking for a Piping Category Specialist and Buyer.

 

The Piping Global Category Expert is a pivotal role responsible for managing procurement category activities for major investment projects. This role coordinates with Capex Lead Buyers and Piping Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to plan and execute high-complexity projects, primarily at the Visp site, ensuring technical excellence and commercial efficiency.

 

General Information

• Start: 01/04/2026

• Duration: 12 Months

• Workplace: Visp (Hybrid: 3 days on-site, 2 days home office)

• Workload: 100%
  
  
   

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Execution: Execute and update overall category strategies, including the definition of targets and bundling procurement measures across various global sites.

• End-to-End Strategic Sourcing: Lead large and complex RFQ packages from inception to completion. Support the team with category-specific benchmarks and detailed cost breakdowns.

• Technical Procurement: Manage the procurement of piping bulk materials, fittings, flanges, supports, insulation, and passivation, as well as piping installation services and design.

• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Develop relationship plans with key partners, manage strategic key accounts, and evaluate new suppliers to ensure capacity and quality.

• Project Management: Act as a core member of the Global Category Team for Construction, Fit-out, and Automation. Maintain weekly updates for packages within the Procurement Management Plan (PMP).

• Market Intelligence & Risk: Monitor technological and regulatory trends. Scan the market to identify, analyze, and mitigate risks while delivering reports on lead times and pricing.

• Contract & Cost Optimization: Negotiate and maintain framework agreements. Focus on Life Cycle Cost (LCC) optimization and the reduction of material, transport, and ancillary costs.
  
  
  
   

Qualifications

• Education: Preferably an Engineering degree by training. An advanced degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Economics is a plus.

• Industry Experience: At least 3 years in Pharma, Biotech, or similar sterile environments (e.g., semiconductors/clean rooms).

• Technical Expertise: Minimum 2 years of experience tendering complex, large-scale piping or mechanical packages within a GMP environment.

• Category Management: Proven track record of at least 2 years in category management, including the successful creation and implementation of a category strategy.

• Market Knowledge: High level of expertise in the EU, UK, and specifically the DACH region market for piping and mechanical categories.

• Soft Skills: Advanced negotiation skills and excellent stakeholder management capabilities to navigate a global matrix organization.

• Preferred Assets: Fluency in German, experience with Swiss Pharma Capex projects, claims management experience, and familiarity with Agile project management.

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