Laboratory Equipment Category Buyer

For our client, a leader in life sciences operating globally, we are seeking a dynamic team member for an exciting role:

Laboratory Equipment Category Buyer

in Visp

Start Date:

ASAP
Duration: 12-month contract (renewable)
Department:
Capital Projects

Our client, a global leader in life sciences, is seeking an experienced CAPEX Procurement Category Buyer – Laboratory Equipment to lead sourcing activities for laboratory equipment within capital investment projects. Acting as a strategic partner to engineering and project teams, this role ensures alignment between business needs and supply market capabilities, driving cost optimization, supplier performance, and risk mitigation. The position plays a key role in delivering high-value procurement solutions that support operational excellence and growth.

• Lead RFx and vendor selection processes during project execution and early phases.
• Develop and implement category strategies for laboratory equipment aligned with business needs and market capabilities.
• Collaborate with Global Engineering and other stakeholders to ensure procurement objectives and priorities are aligned.
• Negotiate Equipment Purchase Agreements and Framework Agreements with vendors.
• Drive cost reduction strategies and implement plans that meet project/business requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships (SRM), performance metrics, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Act as the primary point of contact for project-related procurement issues and concerns.
• Support change management initiatives to improve efficiency beyond traditional sourcing levers.
• Ensure compliance and accountability through supplier scorecards and performance reviews.

• Bachelor’s degree (Business or Engineering preferred) with strong technical understanding of laboratory/process equipment.
• Minimum 5 years in Procurement, including global/regional category management experience.
• Proven experience in regulated industries (pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics preferred).
• Expertise in CAPEX equipment procurement, especially laboratory equipment (e.g., analytical instruments, filtration systems, containment/safety devices).
• Fluent English;
  German and/or French is a strong advantage.

• Strong business acumen and ability to link business needs with external capabilities.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills for complex agreements.
• Skilled in contract drafting and commercial agreements.
• Solid project management and change management capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.

• CIPS or equivalent certification.
• Experience developing and implementing sourcing strategies with measurable results.

• Personal Leadership:
  Initiative, accountability, integrity, and credibility.
• Strategic Capability:
  Big-picture thinking, anticipates roadblocks, leads change.
• Customer Focus:
  Understands and integrates customer expectations into sourcing strategies.
• Executional Excellence:
  Deliver results on time with accuracy and urgency.

Mid-Senior level

Temporary

Purchasing

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing