Head of Purchasing Europe (m/f/d) Braga

Head of Purchasing Europe (m/f/d)
Braga
Braga, Braga, Portugal

Head of Purchasing Europe (m/f/d)Location: Portugal and/or Germany
Reports to: VP Supply Chain Europe
Company Overview
Our client is a globally operating industrial enterprise generating annual revenues of EUR 1 billion, with consistently strong performance across all key financial indicators. With several thousand employees and a network of international production sites, the company is widely recognized for its engineering excellence and manufacturing capabilities. As part of its growth strategy, the organization is expanding its Aftermarket division and establishing a strategic sourcing hub in Portugal focused on tooling and forming equipment. Position Purpose
The Head of Purchasing Europe will be responsible for leading the European purchasing function with a strong focus on building and managing a new team in Portugal. The role is critical in shaping and executing the sourcing strategy for tooling and forming equipment within the Aftermarket segment. With high visibility at the executive level, this position will directly contribute to enhancing profitability by optimizing cost structures, securing
- quality supply chains, and strengthening supplier networks—particularly in Portugal and Turkey. Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership for all European purchasing activities especially related to the Aftermarket business
Build and lead
- functional procurement teams in Germany (~10 FTE), Slovakia (~10 FTE), and a new team in Portugal (~10 FTE)Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers with a focus on tooling and forming, particularly in Portugal and Turkey
Lead complex supplier negotiations, audits, and strategic sourcing initiatives
Develop and implement LCC (low-cost country) sourcing strategies and drive supplier consolidation
Ensure alignment with global procurement and production teams to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets
Manage and coordinate sourcing projects across multiple international sites
Present purchasing strategies and results to the executive leadership team and key stakeholders
Ensure strict confidentiality regarding strategic initiatives, particularly concerning supplier and market developments
Candidate Profile
Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field
Minimum 5–7 years of leadership experience in strategic procurement, ideally within the automotive and/or Aftermarket sector
In-depth knowledge of tooling/forming procurement and industrial sourcing
Proven expertise in international purchasing processes, ideally within LCC environments such as Portugal and Turkey
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory
In addition, very good command of English or German is required
Strong leadership capabilities, including
- building across multiple countries and remote team management
Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
Willingness to travel internationally
Proficient in MS Office and SAP R3