Lead Buyer (Defense) Location: Loncin, Belgium (Office based) Duration of Contract: 6 months (renewable) Start Date: ASAP Project: Various Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (Full time) Recruiter: Mariana Cortez
Our Company
Airswift takes pride in being an international workforce solutions provider.  With 9,000 contractors operating in over 70 countries, Airswift's geographical reach, experience and expertise across the oil and gas, energy, mining, infrastructure and technology sectors is unparalleled.

We are currently searching for a Lead Buyer (Defense) to be based in Loncin, Belgium (Office) and work in a 6 - month contract with the possibility of extension.

Job Description:
As Lead Buyer, you will manage the full purchasing process for complex electro-mechanical equipment and project-related materials, ensuring the best balance between cost, quality, performance, and risk.

You will act as a key interface between Engineering, Project Management, and Suppliers, playing both a strategic and operational role in project execution.

Main Responsibilities: Strategic and operational procurement. Manage the full purchasing cycle: sourcing, tendering, negotiation, contracting, and follow-up. Build and maintain long-term relationships with key suppliers and strategic partners. Lead the purchasing strategy for assigned categories (electro - mechanical equipment, cables, sensors, electro-optical items, automation components, etc.). Evaluate new suppliers, drive performance improvement plans, and ensure compliance with group standards. Perform the technology watch for the domains part of its portfolio. Project Involvement: Participate actively in project kick-offs and align purchasing needs with engineering and project teams. Translate technical specifications into commercial requirements and negotiate accordingly. Coordinate closely with technical experts to ensure alignment between design, quality, and delivery expectations. Contribute to cost estimation and budgeting during the proposal phase. Negotiation & Contract Management: Lead commercial negotiations and contractual discussions (terms, penalties, warranties, delivery schedules…). Ensure alignment with internal legal, financial, and compliance requirements. Manage claims and ensure contract execution aligns with project milestones. Performance & Continuous Improvement: Contribute to purchasing KPIs: savings, on-time ordering, supplier performance, cash management. Participate in the digitalization and harmonization of procurement processes. Share best practices across the procurement network and act as a reference for junior buyers. Experience & Skills: Minimum 3 years of experience in purchasing or project procurement, ideally in an industrial or engineering environment (steel, chemicals, manufacturing, energy, or other related). Strong understanding of technical specifications and ability to collaborate with engineering teams. Good command of contract negotiation and supplier management in an international context. Working knowledge of SAP or another ERP system. Fluency in French and English (daily professional use). Education Background: Master’s degree in business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or equivalent. Postgraduate specialization in Procurement or Project Management is a plus. Soft Skills: Analytical mindset and negotiation flair. Emotional intelligence and adaptability across cultures. Strategic vision combined with operational pragmatism. Team-oriented, curious, and open to continuous learning. The next step
We have an exceptional team in place, and we are pleased to be able to appoint a further person to our growing business. We are aware that you may not ‘tick all the boxes’, but if you believe you can genuinely offer some valuable skills and experience to our business, please in the first instance contact our recruitment partner Airswift.

For further information please apply with your updated CV or email Mariana Cortez at mariana.cortez@airswift.com

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