Benelux Cluster Procurement Lead

This position involves leading the procurement function and team for Netceed in Benelux, building and delivering a winning procurement strategy that enables the company to succeed across Telecom, Energy and Data Centre sectors. This role entails overseeing procurement activities to drive cost efficiencies at Netceed, aiming to achieve strategic and financial goals. Responsibilities include optimizing sourcing & negotiation, commercial agreements, supplier relationships and inventories.

As the Benelux Procurement Lead, you will handle sourcing and procurement projects, contracts, and national-level initiatives. This includes collaborating with EMEA category leads to develop strategies that align supplier relationships and commercial outcomes with broader company goals. Working closely with Netceed’s Benelux Managing Director and Country Heads, the role involves fostering team collaboration and driving business results to support the company’s 5-year plan.

The role initially requires a strong focus on Belgium to ‘get the basics right’ to ensure that planning and purchasing are optimised for the local business operations and growth. This requires a candidate who is both strategic and operational minded and ready to personally roll up their sleeves to build processes and really drive their execution to maturity.

You will also manage working capital by supervising inventory levels to maintain appropriate stock without excess, and aligning payment terms with suppliers to optimize payables and maintain strong vendor relationships. This role offers an opportunity to contribute substantially to Netceed’s success and advance in procurement leadership.

Tasks

• Take the Lead: Spearhead procurement activities across the Benelux Cluster, delivering impactful savings, optimising inventory, and achieving financial targets. In collaboration with our sales and project teams, you forecast, plan and coordinate outbound deliveries; being the key driver for the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
• Build Strong Alliances and Partnerships: Cultivate robust relationships with the Cluster MD and Country Leadership to foster alignment and boost collaboration. You will lead the relationship with our Benelux suppliers, monitoring their performance and taking care of the quality of deliveries
• Champion Category Strategies: Input into and promote EMEA category strategies by collaborating with the Central Procurement Team. Collaborate with Central Procurement on EMEA supplier strategies and opportunities to drive more strategic partnerships,
• Lead Key Negotiations: Drive impactful negotiations with suppliers to achieve significant cost savings and enable regional growth in key business verticals.
• Own the Delivery: Define the plan and hit ambitious procurement targets and operational KPIs, driving measurable results. You will coordinate the operational ordering processes. In collaboration with our sales and project teams, you forecast, plan and coordinate outbound deliveries.
• Be the Bridge: Act as the vital link between country and central procurement teams, ensuring smooth communication and flawless implementation of strategies.
• Define policy and improve process: Define, roll out and optimize our procurement policies and processes, objectives, and methods driven by continuous improvement. Do this in collaboration with Central Procurement and Benelux leadership.
• Deliver Insights: Provide periodic reports packed with key data, including spend analysis and inventory metrics that drive continuous improvement.
• Optimize Commercials: Lead local RFQs, tenders, and annual pricing negotiations with finesse and precision, engaging with the Central Procurement team where their are category synergies. Ensure commercials are optimized for the business. You manage the implementation and alignment of purchase pricing in our ERP application (SAP).
• Coach the Team: Guide and coach operational buyers to ensure high-performing procurement operations.
• Optimize our Inventories: Oversee local inventory levels, striking the perfect balance to avoid excess while maintaining readiness. In collaboration with our sales and project teams, you forecast, plan and coordinate outbound deliveries
• Lead the Dialogue: Drive bi-weekly procurement meetings, offering a platform to review progress, resolve challenges, and strategise for success. Seek out opportunities to increase the professional capability of the wider Global Procurement function and add to our culture.

Profile

• Experience: Minimum 8-10 years in strategic/tactical procurement roles, with demonstrated expertise in sourcing, negotiation, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management.
• Skills: Strong commercial acumen, excellent communication, and proven leadership abilities in cross-functional team management. Strong knowledge and experience in SAP.
• Industry Knowledge: Solid understanding of procurement best practices; experience in telecommunications, datacentres or energy is advantageous.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English required; proficiency in Dutch or French is preferred.
• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities

About the Opportunity

This is a dynamic role within a high-growth environment, offering a unique chance to contribute directly to Netceed’s procurement success across EMEA. The Benelux Procurement Lead will play a crucial part in shaping vendor relationships and optimizing procurement strategies to drive business outcomes.