Strategic Buyer

The Strategic Buyer is responsible for leading strategic category management for various subcategories and will report to the Head of Strategic Sourcing within our Global Supply Chain organization. This role blends strategic sourcing, operational procurement and project-based sourcing activities in a fast-paced environment. The Strategic Buyer will play a key role in our strategic sourcing journey to ensure a successful scale-up of the company. The ideal candidate will have a technical or engineering background and will preferably bring experience from medical device and/or automotive industries, where quality, precision, and regulatory compliance are paramount.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Procurement

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with company goals (cost, quality, innovation, and sustainability).

• Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers globally, ensuring technical and quality requirements are met.

• Manage complex request for quotations.

• Negotiate long-term contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier development plans.

• Identify cost savings opportunities, maintain a pipeline of opportunities and implement them.

• Conduct market analysis, benchmark studies, and risk assessments to optimize the supply base.

Operational Buying

• Manage day-to-day procurement activities, including order placement, delivery tracking, and supplier performance monitoring, and invoice discrepancies.

• Ensure continuity of supply to meet production and project schedules.

• Maintain accurate procurement data within ERP system.

Project Procurement

• Act as a procurement lead in cross-functional product development or industrialization projects.

• Support new product development (NPD) by ensuring timely sourcing of prototypes and production materials (long lead items).

• Drive early supplier involvement to optimize design-to-cost and manufacturability.

• Manage sourcing activities for project-specific equipment, tooling, and components.

Supplier Management

• Foster strong supplier relationships through regular business reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Evaluate supplier performance against key metrics (quality, cost, delivery, innovation, sustainability).

• Conduct Top-to-Top meetings with supplier senior leadership (Executive Business Review and/or escalations).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Project Managers, Finance, Legal and Regulatory Affairs.

• Participate actively in project meetings, design reviews, and risk management discussions.

• Ensure procurement activities align with company’s quality systems (e.g., ISO 13485).

• Improve procurement processes and/or drive procurement excellence.

Requirements

Work Experience and Education requirements:

• 3–5+ years of procurement experience, preferably in the medical device and/or automotive industries.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or related technical field is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities required:

• Technical background with solid understanding of technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes (SMT, electronics, machining, plastic injection...).

• Experience with project management and working in cross-functional project teams.

• Strong negotiation, communication, and supplier relationship management skills.

• Familiarity with regulated environments (ISO 13485, FDA, IATF 16949) is highly advantageous.

• ERP system experience.

• Fluent in English (written and spoken); French and other languages are a plus.

• Ability to travel occasionally to suppliers (domestic and international- 10-20%).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership.

• Detail-oriented, organized, and capable of handling multiple priorities.

• Team player with a proactive and hands-on attitude.

Benefits

What we offer:

• A dynamic, innovative environment with cutting-edge medical technology that is shaping the future of robotic surgery
• Fast-growing Company where innovation meets agility
• Structured onboarding program including OR shadowing, product training, ensuring a confident start
• High degree of autonomy and flexibility

Distalmotion is a global MedTech company with a mission to empower access to the benefits of robotic surgery by simplifying operations with its DEXTER® robot. The company aims to broaden access to robotic surgery for more surgeons and sites of care globally, including hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), to increase the number of patients who benefit from best-in-class minimally invasive care. Well-suited to any size OR, DEXTER is easily moved, quickly set up, and seamlessly integrated into existing procedures. DEXTER is commercially available in the United States and Europe.

The company is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland with a US office in Cleveland, Ohio.

For further information visit: www.distalmotion.com and follow us on LinkedIn/Twitter: @Distalmotion.