Senior Strategic Buyer

About Aerospacelab Our mission is supported by an ambitious vertically integrated approach: design & manufacture of small satellites combined with development of earth observation services. Since its creation in 2018, the company has already grown substantially. Our team gathers more than 25 engineering expertise, from hardware design to software development & data science. In 2026, Aerospacelab counts offices in Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), Toulouse (France), Lausanne (Switzerland) and US West Coast with more than 400 full-time employees, with the ambition to position itself as the European leader in small satellites. Your mission The procurement department is strengthening its sourcing capability with dedicated key personnel who will drive the end-to-end supplier engagement process — from market exploration through to contract award. This role is critical to the ASL future constellation programs and will operate at the heart of the sourcing strategy, working in close collaboration with Engineering, Project Management, Legal, and Export Control teams. Key responsibilities RFI / RFP Management Lead the preparation, issuance, and management of Requests for Information (RFI) and Requests for Proposal (RFP) for the programme’s key equipment Translate engineering requirements and Statements of Work (SoW) into procurement documents suitable for competitive tendering Define and apply evaluation grids covering technical compliance, cost, lead time, TRL/MRL level, and export control classification Coordinate internally with Engineering, Quality, Export Control, and Legal teams to ensure RFP packages are complete and compliant Drive supplier clarification rounds and technical/commercial Q&A sessions during the tender phase Supplier Selection Lead the full supplier selection process from market survey through to award recommendation, ensuring traceability and auditability of decisions Lead supplier capability assessments: financial health check, manufacturing capacity, quality systems, and workload analysis Perform and coordinate on-site supplier audits and visits as needed to support qualification decisions Identify and develop dual-source strategies where required by program risk mitigation plans Maintain a structured supplier register including export control classification (ECCN, EAR, ITAR, EU dual-use) for all program sources Contracting & Negotiation Lead commercial negotiations with selected suppliers on pricing, lead times, payment terms, and contractual conditions Draft and review procurement contracts, framework agreements, and long-term supply arrangements in collaboration with Legal Ensure contractual provisions cover program-specific requirements: delivery schedule, quality milestones, export licensing obligations, and cost-reduction targets Place and manage Purchase Orders in the ERP (Odoo) following contract award, ensuring accuracy and timely processing Procurement Portfolio Management Own and actively manage your purchasing portfolio across flight hardware, satellite subsystems, and program-specific equipment Perform regular portfolio risk analysis: identify supply chain risks, flag critical single-source situations, and propose mitigation actions Conduct active market intelligence: track new suppliers, technology trends, and relay insights to Engineering and program teams Represent Aerospacelab at international space exhibitions and supplier events to broaden the supply base and maintain market visibility Team Contribution Contribute to the definition and continuous improvement of sourcing processes and procurement good practices across the department Share knowledge and experience with team members; actively support onboarding of new joiners Support ERP (Odoo) improvement efforts and ensure data quality across your procurement portfolio Interactions Reports to the Procurement Director Day-to-day collaboration with Engineering, Project Management, Product assurance, Export Control, and Legal Works alongside other Buyers, Supply Chain Officers, and Warehouse team members within the Procurement department Regular interface with national and international suppliers at technical and commercial level Must have Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or equivalent 5 to 10 years of experience in a sourcing, technical buying, or procurement role in an industrial environment Proven hands-on experience managing RFI/RFP processes and leading competitive supplier selection Strong commercial negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to drive cost and lead-time reduction Experience managing purchasing portfolios end-to-end: from sourcing through contract, PO, and delivery follow-up Fluent in English (French is a plus) Solution-oriented and agile mindset; autonomous and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact clearly at all levels of the organization and with external partners Nice to have Experience in the space, defense, or aerospace industry Knowledge of export control regulations (EAR, ITAR, EU dual-use) applicable to space and defence commodities Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications Odoo ERP knowledge Experience in team coordination, mentoring, or supplier management in a programme context Background in manufacturing processes (machining, 3D printing, electronic assemblies) #J-18808-Ljbffr