Senior Procurement Manager

About Helsing

Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies and achieve technological leadership so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards.

We believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. Our team of engineers, AI specialists and customer‑facing programme managers is mission‑driven and embraces an open, transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits and its ethical implications.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Procurement Manager with a robust background in the defence sector. The successful candidate will lead and optimise our procurement activities, ensuring the timely, cost‑effective and compliant acquisition of goods, services and technologies essential for our defence projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive procurement strategies aligned with company objectives and defence‑program requirements.
• Identify and cultivate strategic supplier relationships.
• Lead complex sourcing initiatives, including market analysis, supplier identification and risk assessment for critical defence‑related materials, equipment and services.
• Lead and support negotiations for high‑value and complex contracts, ensuring favourable terms, conditions and pricing.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle from tender preparation and award to performance management and closeout, ensuring strict adherence to contractual obligations and internal policies.
• Manage and mitigate contractual risks, particularly those unique to defence procurement.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with budgetary provisions and security regulations such as ITAR, export control and industry standards.
• Provide leadership, mentorship and guidance to a team of procurement professionals, fostering development and ensuring high performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function, optimising processes, tools and systems.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate procurement effectiveness and efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (engineering, legal, finance) to understand requirements and align procurement strategies.
• Act as primary point of contact for complex procurement‑related inquiries and provide strategic advice to senior management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8‑10 years of progressive procurement experience, with a significant portion in the defence sector, ideally in Germany.
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing, complex contract negotiation and supplier relationship management within highly regulated environments.
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing procurement teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Written and verbal fluency in German (C1/C2) and English (C1/C2).
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances, if required.

Benefits

• Focus on outcomes, not time‑tracking.
• Competitive compensation and stock options.
• Relocation support.
• Social and education allowances.
• Regular company events and all‑hands to bring together employees as one team across Europe.

Helsing is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation. Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found here.

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