As a Commodity Buyer, you will oversee the strategy, development, and performance of all purchases for a given segment. Acting as the interface between technical and industrial teams and suppliers, you will help to guarantee availability, quality, cost, and industrialization.
Responsibilities
- Define product requirements and draft technical specifications in collaboration with the R&D, production, and quality teams.
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Source and select the most suitable suppliers.
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Manage calls for tenders, analyze technical/commercial bids, and recommend purchasing decisions.
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Negotiate prices, deadlines, commercial terms and conditions, and ensure contractual follow-up and support in dispute resolution.
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Help to ensure product/process consistency in conjunction with internal multi-site technical teams (France).
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Support supplier performance (quality, costs, deadlines) in conjunction with the supplier quality manager.
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Ensure production start-up, monitoring of technical developments, and problem resolution.
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Continuously optimize cost/quality/lead time throughout the product life cycle.
Your profile
- Engineering degree or Master's degree in management/business.
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Solid technical knowledge in a demanding industrial environment.
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Proficiency in technical purchasing, negotiation, and complex procurement.
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Ability to manage projects, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and monitor multi-supplier developments.
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Analytical skills, rigor, pragmatism, and autonomy.
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Comfortable in an international environment and able to work with suppliers abroad. Frequent supplier travel to be expected (Europe).
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Strong negotiation skills, both internally and externally, with good mastery of negotiation techniques and consultation methods.
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Ability to operate both strategically (long term) and tactically (short term).
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Proactive mindset with a strong sense of ownership and initiative.
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Strong communication skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships; acts as a bridge between internal departments and external partners.
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Ambitious, open to change and genuinely interested in innovation and continuous improvement.
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Strong IT skills, including an excellent level of Excel proficiency.
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Fluency in French and English, both spoken and written; Dutch is a strong asset.
What can we offer you?
At Exail, you don’t just get a job — you join an innovative and fast-growing organization where people, technology and ambition come together. In addition to an attractive salary package with a comprehensive set of fringe benefits and a strong focus on work-life balance, we offer:
- Up to 40 days of telework per year, giving you flexibility in how and where you work.
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A modern, inspiring workplace in Ostend.
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A role with a high level of autonomy and trust, where your expertise truly makes an impact.
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Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
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The opportunity to contribute to innovative, high-tech projects with real-world impact.
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A collaborative company culture that values initiative, ownership and continuous improvement.
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A workplace where fun at work matters: team events, informal moments, and a positive, supportive atmosphere.
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12 ADV days on top of your legal holidays (based on full-time employment).
Who we are
The Belgian division – Exail Robotics Belgium – develops underwater drones that detect, identify, and destroy mines. Thanks to our innovative concept, which our clients such as the Belgian and Dutch navies will use, we can significantly reduce the risks involved in defusing mines. These technologies are safer and faster than traditional manners.
About EXAIL
Exail is a leading high-tech industrial group specializing in cutting-edge robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics technologies. With a strong entrepreneurial culture, Exail delivers unrivaled performance, reliability and safety to its civil and defense clients operating in severe environments. From the deep sea to outer space, Exail expands their capabilities with a full range of robust in-house manufactured components, products and systems.
Employing a workforce of 2000 people worldwide, the company benefits from a global footprint and conducts its business in over 80 countries.
Exail was formed by ECA Group and iXblue joining forces in 2022. It is a subsidiary of Exail Technologies, a family-owned company specialized in high-technology.
