Category Buyer – Damen Workboats

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About Damen Workboats

At Damen Workboats our goal is to develop, design, and construct a portfolio of tugs, dredgers or workboats in the most effective and efficient manner, primarily based on series production of smart-customized standard designs. Damen Workboats offers a range of innovative, standardized & smart-customized designs, fulfilling current and developing market demands, with well-balanced levels of quality, service, price, and delivery time thereby providing optimal solutions for our clients.

The role of Category Buyer is within the Supply Chain department of Damen Workboats, containing the teams Procurement, Material Coordination, Category Management and Standards & Documentation.

Your role as a Category Buyer

Are you ready for a challenging role where you manage the procurement of essential components such as engines, systems, windows, and valves? As a Category Buyer, you will play a pivotal role in our supply chain, contributing to the production of our workboats at shipyards in Vietnam, Turkey, China, and Abu Dhabi.

Our team is undergoing an exciting transformation: shifting from project-based to category-based procurement. This means you’ll not only ensure the timely delivery of standardized components but also actively participate in supplier development and process optimization initiatives.

At Damen Workboats, collaboration is key. You’ll work closely with (international) colleagues from various departments, including Material Coordination and Category Management. Together, we ensure a seamless supply chain focused on quality and cost efficiency.

What will you do?

As a Category Buyer, your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating procurement processes and ensuring timely production of our vessels.
• Enhancing supplier performance and participating in supplier development initiatives.
• Identifying supply chain risks and handle escalations when necessary.
• Keeping our ERP system up to date and ensuring accurate administrative records.
• Contributing to improvement programs in our global supply chain.
• Aligning procurement planning with Material Coordinators and shipyards to support smooth production.

What do you bring?

• A bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in international procurement or supply chain management, preferably in a process-driven industry.
• Strong communication skills in English (Dutch is a plus).
• Experience with ERP systems (knowledge of SAP is a bonus).
• A proactive, hands-on mentality with a service-oriented attitude.

What we offer

Here at Damen we realize supporting and managing many talented individuals is of great essence. We understand that the key to success is to find the right person for the right job. That’s why we continually invest in your development. Damen offers you (in case of full time employment):

• a dynamic international working environment focusing on technology and innovation;
• a competitive salary;
• at least 40 days of annual leave;
• travel allowance;
• profit sharing & pension allowance;
• continuous focus on professional and personal development through our Damen Academy.