Material Buyer (m/f/d)

The Opportunity: Ensure Material Availability and Drive Procurement Excellence.

For one of our clients, a leading international healthcare and diagnostics company based in Rotkreuz, we are looking for a Material Buyer (m/f/d) to join the Global Instrumentation Network (GIN).

Are you passionate about procurement, supplier management, and ensuring smooth production operations within a global manufacturing environment?

Do you enjoy working with international suppliers, managing complex material flows, and contributing to process improvements that create measurable business value?

Our client operates a global manufacturing network responsible for producing innovative diagnostic instruments used by healthcare professionals around the world. Within this environment, the Material Buying team plays a critical role in ensuring the reliable supply of components, assemblies, and materials required for uninterrupted manufacturing operations.

As a Material Buyer, you will take ownership of end-to-end procurement activities for a broad range of materials and components sourced from international suppliers. You will manage purchase orders, monitor deliveries, resolve supply shortages, oversee inventory-related processes, and collaborate closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to maintain production continuity. In addition to operational purchasing responsibilities, you will contribute to global projects focused on procurement optimization, process harmonization, and supply chain excellence.

We are looking for a proactive and organized procurement professional who combines strong SAP expertise with excellent stakeholder management skills. The ideal candidate is analytical, solution-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced international environment where effective communication and collaboration are essential. You are able to identify risks early, manage priorities effectively, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance procurement performance and operational efficiency.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a globally recognized healthcare organization, work within an international supply chain network, and make a direct impact on the availability of products that ultimately support better patient care worldwide.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Operational Procurement & Supply Chain (70%)

• Process purchase requisitions and create purchase orders for global suppliers.
• Manage material availability to ensure uninterrupted production operations.
• Oversee Just-In-Time (JIT) and Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) processes.
• Monitor open orders, delivery schedules, and supplier performance.
• Proactively identify and resolve material shortages and supply chain risks.
• Escalate delivery issues and coordinate corrective actions with suppliers.
• Build and maintain strong day-to-day relationships with international suppliers.
• Manage iCollab transactions, including:
• Purchase Orders (POs)
• Shipping notifications
• Forecast sharing
• eInvoicing
• Prepare and distribute supplier forecasts and performance reports.
• Review and approve supplier invoices.
• Resolve pricing, quantity, and invoice discrepancies.
• Handle supplier complaints and quality-related issues.
• Maintain accurate procurement master data in SAP ERP and iCollab.
• Generate regular reports on procurement activities, inventory levels, and supplier performance.
• Support onboarding, training, and knowledge transfer for Buyer 2 and Buyer 3 team members.

Project Work & Continuous Improvement (30%)

• Participate in cross-functional and global procurement projects.
• Analyze existing procurement processes and identify improvement opportunities.
• Drive workflow optimization to improve efficiency, quality, and operational performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Planning.
• Contribute to process standardization and best-practice implementation.
• Support digitalization and continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement organization.

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of post-graduate professional experience in Procurement, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, or a comparable function within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven hands-on experience working with SAP ERP, particularly within MM, PP, and Master Data processes.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier communication, inventory planning, and operational procurement activities.
• Solid understanding of supply chain processes, including material planning, forecasting, shortage management, and supplier performance monitoring.
• Experience working in international and cross-functional environments involving Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Planning, and Supply Chain stakeholders.
• Practical experience participating in process improvement, optimization, or project-based initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks and proactively mitigate supply disruptions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with a customer-focused mindset.
• Structured, detail-oriented, and highly organized working style.
• Fluent in German and English, both written and spoken.

Nice to Have

• Experience within the medical device, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, biotech, or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of Just-In-Time (JIT), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), and supply planning methodologies.
• Experience with supplier portals, eProcurement tools, or digital supply chain platforms such as iCollab.
• Exposure to supplier performance management, forecasting processes, and invoice verification activities.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience onboarding, mentoring, or training colleagues within procurement teams.
• Knowledge of procurement compliance, audit support, and quality-related processes.
• Experience contributing to global or cross-site procurement and supply chain projects.

General Information

• Start Date: 01.10.2026
• Latest Start Date: 01.11.2026
• Duration: Until 30.04.2027
• Extension: Very likely
• Workload: 100%
• Location: Zurich Area
• Remote Work: Up to 40% home office
• Team Size: 18 employees
• Working Hours: Standard business hours
• Travel: Minimal to none expected
• Interview Process: 1-2 rounds (first virtual, second onsite if applicable)