Strategic Purchaser (m/f/d)

Intro

At NexWafe, we are developing a pioneering process to produce silicon wafers with fewer process steps, resulting in significant savings in production costs, energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

To support our ongoing projects and initiatives, we are looking for a skilled Strategic Purchaser (m/f/d) with solid technical background to join our team in Freiburg im Breisgau .

As a Strategic Purchaser, your key responsibilities will include liaising with the engineering department to ensure that programme objectives and cost targets are achieved, in line with other company-wide strategic goals.

This position may also be offered as a limited-term contract (12–18 months).

Join our global team, help shape the future of renewable energy, and explore exciting career opportunities at NexWafe!

Your Mission

• Ensure relevant procurement activities are managed end-to-end—from understanding downstream needs to supporting related aftermarket activities.
• Drive early and late-stage procurement involvement in strategically important development projects, as well as in sourcing materials and components.
• Act as a key interface between the engineering department, purchasing, and suppliers.
• Identify, assess, select, and develop suppliers in collaboration with technical, project, and quality teams.
• Process orders for technically complex requirements, ensuring control over cost, timeline, and quality.
• Critically review procurement processes, identify gaps, and initiate improvement measures.
• Develop, align, and present sourcing strategies in coordination with the line manager and internal stakeholders for the assigned scope of work.

Your profile

• Commercial or technical degree, ideally complemented by an MBA or a comparable qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Strategic Purchaser —preferably in semiconductors, silicon wafers, photovoltaics, electronics, high-tech products, or industrial coating systems.
• Proven expertise in managing purchasing projects, including milestone tracking, process implementation, and category management.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings and complex specifications.
• Experience negotiating with capital equipment vendors, as well as suppliers of raw materials and chemicals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with suppliers, enabling creative negotiation approaches and improved delivery timelines.
• Team-oriented mindset with resilience, a structured approach, and a solution-focused attitude.
• Proactive and self-driven personality.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and German.

Why us?

• A diverse team: Short decision-making processes, flat hierarchies and collaboration with experts from different areas await you.
• A diverse and exciting job: A company that contributes to the commercialisation of environmentally friendly solar energy with a low carbon footprint.
• Stability with a certain degree of flexibility: A permanent position with flexible working hours.
• Attractive remuneration programme: An attractive salary, a company pension scheme and profit-sharing for employees.
• Healthy balance: Take your physical and mental health to the next level with an annual health budget and a HanseFit membership!
• Expand your language skills: Optimise your career prospects with the English and German courses offered.

At NexWafe, we\'re striving to set a new standard for the future of photovoltaic wafer production. The need for efficient, affordable and cleanly produced solar technology has never been greater – we\'re rising to meet that challenge.