Group Strategic Buyer

Company details

AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS is the world leader in the field of automated secure entry control. For nearly 50 years, the company has been designing and manufacturing equipment for pedestrian, vehicle, and passenger access.

Founded in 1969, Automatic Systems has developed unique expertise in the design of high-end access control systems, single passage detection, and flow management. This expertise has earned the company a solid reputation for the high quality, performance, and reliability of its products.

The company is part of the Bolloré Group, which ensures a long-term investment strategy and provides stability for the company. The Group is built on the commitment and loyalty of its talented employees, who make a difference around the world.

Automatic Systems has a global presence through its network of subsidiaries and sales offices located in Belgium, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and the United States, as well as through an extensive network of international and local distributors.

The company operates five production sites (three in Belgium, one in France, and one in Canada) and three Research and Development centers.

Our sustainable performance is built on strong values: humility, excellence, courage, agility, innovation, and solidarity.

Function

As a Group Strategic Buyer, you play a key role in the development of the purchasing department across our three subsidiaries (Belgium, France, Canada). You work closely with various departments such as logistics, production, IT, HR, engineering office, etc.

Joining our team of two technically-oriented buyers, your time will be allocated as follows: 2/3 on the management of direct purchases (commercial parts) and 1/3 on indirect purchasing (logistics, services, IT & telecom). You will report directly to the Group Purchasing Manager.

Your Responsibilities:

• Define and implement purchasing strategies in collaboration with internal teams
• Approve, maintain, and evaluate the supplier panel
• Manage the full RFx process from requirement definition to final supplier selection
• Manage complex end-to-end projects (e.g., Kanban optimization, tail spend management)
• Oversee the overall relationship with key suppliers (Supplier Relationship Management), aiming to improve their performance and conducting regular meetings
• Negotiate and conclude framework agreements with key suppliers (direct and indirect purchasing)
• Identify optimization opportunities and proactively initiate cost-reduction projects
• Conduct technology watch to anticipate market innovations and lead innovation-related procurement projects
• Handle operational issues (price disputes, recurring delivery delays, etc.)
• Create momentum within the group’s purchasing activities by regularly communicating with internal teams about market trends, cost developments, and purchasing strategies

Profile

• A skilled negotiator, you adapt to your audience and are able to influence and convince at all hierarchical levels
• With strong leadership and a hands-on mindset, you drive your projects and change initiatives forward
• You can take a strategic view to guide long-term decisions while remaining involved in operational implementation
• Curious and analytical, you leverage your industrial experience to improve existing processes, reduce costs, and find creative solutions
• A true team player, you possess excellent communication skills and enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams
• You hold a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, or Engineering
• You have at least 3 years of experience in purchasing within an industrial environment, ideally in both direct and indirect procurement
• You are proficient in contract management, procurement methodologies, category management, supplier relationship management, and supplier selection
• You are proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and can easily adapt to new software tools
• You are fluent in French and have a strong command of English
• You are willing to travel up to 15% of your time to visit suppliers (Europe) and our plant in France

Offer

• Permanent contract
• Attractive salary and benefits package :
  • Company car
  • Vehicle package (fuel card, insurance, tires, maintenance)
  • Net monthly allowance
  • Company mobile phone and subscription
  • Meal vouchers (€8/day)
  • Group insurance
  • Hospitalization insurance
  • Outpatient care insurance
  • CCT 90 bonus
  • Year-end bonus
  • Year-end gift voucher
  • 12 additional RTT days (based on 40h/week)
  • Extra leave based on seniority and career progressio

Why Join Automatic Systems?

• Be part of a Belgian-rooted company that has maintained its family spirit over the years
• Opportunities for technical training and internal career development
• Work in a caring environment where everyone is encouraged to share ideas
• Join an innovative company actively contributing to sustainable development: over 80–90% of our products are recyclable