Purchasing Manager - CooperVision - Liège

CooperVision®, Inc., a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges; such as astigmatism, presbyopia and ocular dryness; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available.

Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, thereby creating real advantages for customers and wearers.

From our extensive network of facilities in 12 countries across five continents, CooperVision distributes high-quality lenses virtually everywhere contact lenses are worn.

JOB TITLE: Purchasing Manager

DEPARTMENT: Supply Chain

SHIFT: Day shift – 37 hours per week

WORKING PATTERN: Monday to Friday

Provide leadership, direction and expertise to create and manage the purchasing function for CVI Distribution SPRL (Liege). Promote Good Purchasing Practices within the organisation and ensure full compliance with statutory and corporate standards. Manage the outsourced purchasing function and build the local purchasing team as required over time.

Total spend controlled / influenced is around €30M pa.

Key areas within category responsibility include:

Indirect – utilities, telecommunications, IT services & telecommunications, security, vending / catering, consumable materials for the warehouse, cleaning services, equipment spares and engineering services, HR and recruitment consultancy, packing materials, transportation.

Direct – management of local vendors

Capital & Projects – local equipment and construction projects.

Manage and monitor purchasing of all materials and services to ensure supply to meet operational needs;

Implement procurement strategies to maintain security of supply and optimum value for money;

Actively monitor suppliers and supply chain for risks which may interrupt supply.

Perform all procurement and contracting activities including pre-qualification, tender management, negotiation and preparation of contracts. Negotiate contracts with suppliers to obtain best price and service;

Develop key relationships and conduct business review meetings with business stakeholders and strategic supply partners to assess risk, review future strategies, identify potential cost down, improvement opportunities;

Identifying potential suppliers, visiting existing suppliers, and building and maintaining good relationships with them.

Understand spend and identify cost reduction opportunities to achieve financial goals;

Review current processes for procurement and make recommendations where appropriate. Identify areas for improvement to continually drive performance and business results.

To lead and manage the outsourced procurement provider and build local purchasing team to scale required;

Maintain/upgrade intellectual capital by developing existing employees and attracting qualified employees. Establish performance measurement objectives and development plans for direct reports. Review performance periodically

Teach and educate subordinates and associates about the procurement process control. Implement change and develop new processes, policies and guidelines to better procure goods and services.

Have the highest ethical and professional standards. Lead by example and set expectations within the business;

Assure full regulatory compliance (Sarbanes Oxley; QA cGMP) within department, and provide support to the quality team to ensure that suppliers meet QA requirements, and that supplier approval processes are followed.

Prepare annual budgets, including material spend projections and forecasts as required by finance teams;

Provide management reports on purchasing, controls and processes. Report and manage performance through core KPIs relating to spend, savings, and supplier performance.

Act as champion for site implementation of Oracle Procure to Pay;

Participate in cross functional project team activities to ensure that high value/long term purchasing agreements are commercially sound and providing best value/lowest risk for CooperVision. Working closely with Delta Park and Global Sourcing;

To perform any other related duties and participates in special projects (not directly connected with the HR) as assigned – and trained.

A high level of computer literacy is required, especially in the use of MS Office.

Fluent level of English language

Unimpeachable ethics;

Willing to learn new skills and adapt to new situations;

Excellent communication skills and capable of operating at all levels both within and outside the business;

Highly organised with excellent administrative skills and ‘Hands On’ approach;

Quality conscious, attention to detail;

Self-motivated, high level of initiative;

Able to work under pressure;

Must possess a strong business and work ethic and be capable of decision making to the benefit of the business;

Perform as an inclusive team player to ensure that the business objectives are met;

Knowledge and leader of good purchasing practice;

Able to lead contract negotiations at senior level with suppliers to achieve best value for CooperVision.

Office room environment, with moderate levels of noise;

Sometime in operations areas around equipment with moving parts;

May be required to work out of the Site (at Suppliers) and at other CooperVision sites globally;

A valid passport and driving license are essential.

At least College (BSc) graduated (with a preference for engineering or science based subject degrees), or experienced manufacturing procurement equivalent demonstrated background;

Formal procurement qualification would be an advantage.

Previous purchasing experience of more than 3 years at or above senior buyer level within a relevant industry such as pharmaceutical, medical device or fine chemicals;

Demonstrated contract negotiation and management with values >$5M and achievement of success at this level;

Must have experience of purchasing within a high-volume operating environment;

Has managed a team of direct reports;

Must have an understanding of Supply Chain and ERP / MRP systems – with at least 3 years as a system user;

Preferable to have experience within a regulated industry.