Role purpose The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading procurement activities for assigned electronic component categories, ensuring optimal supplier selection, cost competitiveness, business continuity, and alignment with Vodafone Automotive's sourcing strategy.
He/She drives negotiations, manages supplier performance, ensures compliance with internal policies, and contributes actively to achieving year‐on‐year cost savings and continuous process improvement.
Key accountabilities and decision ownershipCategory Management and SourcingManage assigned component categories, developing sourcing plans aligned with company objectives.Conduct supplier market analysis to identify trends, risks, and new opportunities.Evaluate, select, and qualify suppliers in compliance with procurement policies.Cost Optimization & Financial PerformanceAchieve continuous improvement of component costs through negotiation, supplier consolidation, alternative sourcing, and value-engineering initiatives.Monitor raw material indices and market drivers to anticipate cost fluctuations and formulate mitigation strategies.Supplier Management & Operational ProcurementEnsure timely purchase order creation based on Purchase requests, Material Requirements Planning analysis, and business needsManage supplier order confirmations, proactively resolving mismatches or delaysMitigate supply shortages by coordinating with planning, quality, and manufacturing teams to avoid production disruptionsDrive Supplier OTIF performance improvements and monitor key supplier KPIs
Compliance, Governance & Process ExcellenceEnsure adherence to DOA (delegation of authority), P2P (procure to pay) controls, and accounting requirements (material codes, cost centers, Opex/Capex classification)Maintain accurate procurement documentation and audit-ready recordsSupport process optimization, automation initiatives (e.g., PowerBI reporting), and digital procurement tools.
Cross-Functional CollaborationCollaborate with engineering teams to evaluate alternative components and support new product introductionWork with quality teams to drive supplier development and ensure compliance with technical standardsLiaise with production planning to guarantee supply continuity and optimized inventory levels
Core competencies, knowledge and experienceStrong negotiation, communication, and influencing skillsAdvanced skills in MS Office (Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint)Solid experience in data analysis and reportingKnowledge of AS400 and SAP procurement modulesProven experience in electronics procurement (minimum 3 years)Experience in multinational contexts (automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, white goods)Business acumen and strong problem-solving abilitiesProactive, structured, and capable of managing multiple priorities
Must have technical / professional qualificationsDegree in Engineering, Economics3 yrs of experience in procurement of electronics components purchase or solid technical and engineering background, motivated to grow and develop within a technical product-focused procurement teamVery good knowledge of written and spoken English, Spanish/French or German is a plus
KPIsYear-on-Year cost savings delivered on assigned categoriesSupplier OTIF performanceCategory sourcing strategy development and executionZero line-stop events related to componentsProject "Green Status" achievement (TCQ: Time, Cost, Quality)Contract coverage of assigned spend categories
We do not tolerate any form of discrimination especially related to but not limited to race, color, age, veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, social origin, cultural background, social or marital status.
At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align exactly with every part of the job advert, we encourage you to apply as you may be just the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help see how your skills fit in.