Purchasing Specialist

Focuslight develops and manufactures state-of-the-art micro-optical components in Hauterive (Neuchâtel, Switzerland) and supplies customers worldwide.

As we continue to innovate and grow, we are currently seeking a:

Purchasing Specialist

Position Summary :

You will take full ownership of all procurement activities for the Switzerland plant, covering both direct materials (raw materials, components, etc.) and indirect materials (MRO, office supplies, facility services, logistics, etc.). You will oversee the end-to-end procurement process—from requirement validation and supplier sourcing through negotiation and contract execution. Serving as the local procurement interface, you will engage with internal and external audits, quality inquiries, and cross-functional coordination to ensure procurement activities are compliant, efficient, and fully aligned with operational goals.

This position requires business travel within Switzerland, across Europe, and potentially to other global regions to support supplier audits, on-site negotiations, and urgent operational matters.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage the procurement of direct materials (raw materials, packaging, etc.) to ensure supply continuity, quality compliance, and cost optimization.
2. Manage the procurement of indirect materials and services (MRO, office supplies, facility maintenance, logistics, professional consulting, etc.).
3. Oversee the full procurement cycle from requisition to purchase order issuance, delivery follow-up, quality feedback, and payment support.
4. Perform supplier sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, and contracting to build and maintain a qualified local and cross-border supplier base.
5. Regularly evaluate supplier performance (quality, delivery, cost, service) and drive continuous improvement.
6. Coordinate and resolve supplier-related issues, including quality disputes, delivery delays, and invoice discrepancies.
7. Act as the primary point of contact for procurement-related matters during internal audits, financial audits, and customer/third-party quality audits.
8. Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, local Swiss regulations, and group compliance requirements.
9. Maintain complete and auditable procurement documentation (contracts, quotations, approvals) to ensure traceability.
10. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (Production, Quality, R&D, Administration, etc.) to understand requirements and provide procurement expertise.
11. Participate in new product introductions or project launches to ensure procurement solutions align with timelines and requirements.
12. Act as the liaison between the Swiss plant and the Group Procurement Center, ensuring information flow and strategic alignment.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree or above in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
2. 3-5 years of procurement experience, preferably with exposure to both direct and indirect categories.
3. Background in manufacturing with a solid understanding of production supply chain operations.
4. Familiarity with the European market and supplier landscape is highly preferred.
5. Solid knowledge of the end-to-end procurement process (sourcing, negotiation, contracting, supplier management).
6. Strong understanding of procurement compliance and audit processes, with good documentation discipline.
7. Cost analysis capability to understand and evaluate quotation breakdowns.
8. Proficient in Excel (e.g., PivotTables, VLOOKUP) for procurement data analysis and reporting.
9. Hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., Preconcept, SAP, or equivalent) for purchase order processing, inventory monitoring, and supplier management.

Language

1. Fluent in English (written and spoken) as the working language.
2. Proficiency in German or French is a strong advantage for local operations

We offer

• Positive working atmosphere in a motivated team
• Multinational environment

Work location : Hauterive, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland