Technical buyer

You own our tactical purchasing. From sheet material and DIN parts to outsourced work and the nitrogen in the bulk tank: you select and contract the suppliers and negotiate the prices.

The role

Are you a technical buyer who judges a supplier not only on price, but also on what it can do technically? Do you want to take the purchasing of a high-tech sheet metal company to a higher level? Then come and meet us, without obligation!

At Contour in Winterswijk, metal takes shape. To make that happen, we buy a lot: sheet material in steel, stainless steel and aluminum, catalog and DIN parts such as bolts, hinges and inserts, outsourced work such as machining and surface treatment, and everything that keeps our company running, from nitrogen in the bulk tank to maintenance and IT contracts. You make sure we have the right suppliers for this, at the right price and with clear agreements. You report to the supply chain manager and you are the commercial face of Contour toward our suppliers.

Your challenge: owner of tactical purchasing

As a technical buyer, you own specifying, selecting and contracting, for every purchasing category. You negotiate independently on price, lead time and conditions and record the agreements in framework contracts. For outsourced work, you build a portfolio of qualified suppliers per technology, so that for cutting, bending, welding, machining and surface treatment we always have several parties that can handle the work, and you judge for yourself whether a supplier can technically make a drawing a reality.

For each purchasing category, you determine which suppliers, at which prices and under which conditions our operational buyers order, so that a sourcing decision really shows in the orders. Most of your time goes to customer-related purchasing: material, parts and outsourcing for our orders. In addition, you support the account teams with new products and you buy the services and supplies the company needs for the budget holders.

A selection of your tasks

• Drafting and carrying out the purchasing policy and the annual purchasing plan.
• Buying sheet material and catalog and DIN parts on contract: bundling volumes, recording prices and conditions and handing them over in time to cost estimating and operational purchasing.
• Building a portfolio of qualified subcontractors per technology and translating the capacity need from forecast and planning into agreements.
• Selecting and onboarding new suppliers. From NDA to golden sample to series production.
• Running the annual price round, assessing and negotiating back price increase requests, and recording agreements in (framework) contracts.
• Assessing suppliers on quality, delivery performance, price and flexibility, and carrying out audits and improvement plans with QA according to ISO 9001.
• Supporting non-customer-related purchasing for the budget holders. You handle special assignments as projects, from market exploration to selection and handover.

This is you: technically skilled and a sharp negotiator

You read a drawing as easily as a quote. You know what sheet material, DIN parts and outsourced work cost and why, and you use that at the negotiating table. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• A completed HBO degree in mechanical engineering or a comparable technical education, supplemented with NEVI 1 and 2, with demonstrable technical depth.
• At least five years of experience in technical purchasing in the metal or manufacturing industry, including outsourcing.
• You know the cost price build-up of manufactured work (material, setup time, cycle time, hourly rate) and test quotes against it.
• You negotiate independently, also on services and contracts such as gases, energy and maintenance.
• You work analytically: you translate spend, categories and supplier performance into well-founded choices.
• You speak and write Dutch, German and English.

Colleague speaking

“Now, after more than a year full time as a project engineer, I can say: I found that challenge! I work with various customers, from the agricultural sector to the semiconductor industry, each with their own specific requirements. From small, clever brackets to complete machines, the variety is enormous. No day is the same.”

View interview

Marciano, project engineer

What you get from us: influence, room and a stable company

At Contour, you join a stable, innovative organization with short lines of communication and an open working atmosphere. You get a role with real influence: your choices determine who we work with and at what price. And of course:

• A salary under the Metalektro collective labor agreement that fits your experience.
• A solid pension scheme via Pensioenfonds PME and travel expense allowance.
• Room to develop yourself, in depth and in breadth.
• A high-tech customer base and a modern machine park, so you talk to suppliers about real technology.

Your team

You work in the Contour supply chain team, together with the supply chain manager, the operational buyers, the planner and the order desk. The operational buyers order within the agreements you make; at peak times you step in yourself. You chair the purchasing meeting, join the work preparation meeting for new products and the planning meeting when work has to be outsourced. Toward suppliers, you are the face of Contour: at the table, on visits and at the audit.

Working at Contour: innovation & team spirit in Winterswijk

Contour supplies specialist sheet metal parts, mainly for the high-tech industry. Think of parts for chip machines, medical equipment and logistics systems. With approx. 200 FTE in Winterswijk, we are a well-organized and innovative company. We have a modern machine park, our own powder coating installation and even a cleanroom.

What does this mean for you?

You work on challenging projects for top customers in an environment where we continuously invest in the latest technologies and in you as an employee. We are big enough for professionalism and specializations, and small enough for an informal atmosphere where everyone knows each other. Your effort is seen and appreciated.

What does this mean for you? (video on YouTube)

Your flying start at Contour?

A warm welcome is important to us. That is why you get:

• A personal buddy who shows you the ropes.
• A structured onboarding program.
• An introduction to all departments.
• A gradual move to working independently.
• Regular feedback and coaching to help you move forward.

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Apply? It is that simple!

• Send us your details: via the form, email or WhatsApp.
• Quick response: You will hear from us within 5 working days.
• Coffee & getting to know each other: An informal conversation (including a tour).
• Get a feel for the atmosphere (optional): Spend a day with us if you like.
• Welcome to the team!

“We have a collegial team. We are hard workers, but you can have a laugh with everyone.”

Rudy, 29, CNC press brake operator