Strategic Project Buyer

We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family.

About us

Hop aboard Damen Naval; the naval division of the family-owned Damen Shipyards Group, where 12,000 professionals work worldwide. Damen Naval delivers advanced naval vessels to clients all over the globe. By implementing the most innovative technological developments in practice, we continue to push the boundaries of the shipbuilding industry. You can be part of our team! Are you ready for duty?

The role

As a Strategic Project Buyer at Damen Naval, you'll be at the forefront of procurement for the construction of advanced naval vessels. You'll lead strategic acquisitions, cultivate a high-performing supplier network, and expertly manage contracts. Your insights will be crucial for budgeting, and you'll spearhead category strategies, directly impacting our projects through your strategic sourcing expertise and commitment to efficiency and effectiveness.

Key accountabilities

• Driving strategic procurement for advanced naval vessels, coordinating all acquisition and outsourcing activities.
• Building and nurturing a high-performing supplier network, establishing professional relationships with strategic subcontractors and suppliers.
• Conducting essential market research to inform procurement strategies and anticipate cost and sector shifts.
• Managing comprehensive supplier contracts, ensuring their precise execution and adherence to cost variables.
• Leading improvement initiatives with strategic suppliers, utilizing qualifications and evaluations to enhance performance.
• Guiding category teams in defining and executing strategies, while providing crucial data for budget and cost price calculations.

Skills & experience

• 7+ years of relevant experience, ideally gained in a technical environment with complex projects and project management.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with strategic sourcing principles.
• Strong negotiation skills and assertiveness, combined with an independent, well-structured, and hands-on mentality.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree, preferably in a technical field, complemented by Nevi-1 and Nevi-2 certifications or a willingness to pursue them.
• Proficiency in Dutch and English, both spoken and written.
• Available to frequently work from our headquarter in Vlissingen.
• Excellent references, as a security screening is part of the hiring process.
• Permanent EU citizenship and passport are both required. Candidates with EU (work) visa or with both an EU and non-EU nationality and/or passport are not eligible in accordance with the requirements imposed by the military nature of our projects.

What we offer

• A competitive salary and 8% holiday pay.
• 27 holidays and 13 ADV days.
• Travel allowance of 23 cents per kilometre.
• PME-pension arrangement with an employer contribution of 60%.
• Profit sharing based on company results.
• Flexibility to work from home up to two days a week.
• Additional benefits including a bicycle plan and company fitness.

Why Damen?

Damen has 35 shipyards on five different continents and operates in more than 100 countries. We are still growing and that gives you options. You contribute to this growth while benefitting from the diverse development and career opportunities that our company offers. We will continue to challenge you. With our extensive portfolio of products and solutions you will never get bored and never stop learning. We offer you a world of possibilities.
Working at Damen means contributing to the highest quality in shipbuilding, with an eye to the future and future generations. We want to make the world a better place by becoming the most sustainable maritime solution provider. For that, we need you. Become part of our family.

About Us

We are Damen. We’re a family company that has been building ships for almost 100 years. However, our focus is not on the past, however – we’re looking forward. Our ambition is to become the most sustainable and connected maritime solutions provider there is. To achieve this, we combine digital technology with our philosophy of standardised shipbuilding to offer a portfolio of services that takes care of vessels throughout the entire lifecycle. Working at Damen offers the best of several worlds. Active in more than 100 countries, with over 30 shipyards, we are internationally renowned for quality. And we are still growing, still innovating. Which means we will continue to challenge you. You will never stop learning, and you will never get bored – we promise you that. We offer you an ocean of possibilities. Join our family.