Technical 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 350 full-time employees, with the ambition to position itself as the European leader in small satellites. Your mission As a Technical Buyer, you will sit at the heart of our supply chain operations — responsible for turning engineering requirements into procured hardware, on time and on budget. This role blends hands‑on buying with strong procurement ownership: from building Bills of Materials with project managers, to negotiating contracts, placing purchase orders, and driving on‑time delivery. If you thrive in a technical environment and love seeing parts arrive and programs move forward, this is your role. Key responsibilities BOM & Product Setup Work in close collaboration with Project Managers to create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOM) for satellite programs and ground support equipment Create and manage product references in the ERP system, ensuring accurate and up‑to‑date information throughout the product lifecycle Translate engineering specifications and drawings into actionable procurement requirements Identify and flag any missing or incomplete technical data early in the process to avoid delays downstream Being proficient and actively involved in ERP improvement End-to-End Procurement Ownership Own the full procurement cycle for your portfolio: from supplier identification and selection, through RFQ, negotiation, contract, purchase order placement, and delivery follow‑up Manage a technical purchasing portfolio covering flight hardware for satellites (~70%) and prototype & ground testing equipment (~30%) Proactively follow up with national and international suppliers to guarantee on‑time delivery at the expected quality level & keep purchase orders updated Be the main point of contact for your suppliers — build strong relationships and resolve issues quickly Supplier Management & Market Intelligence Lead supplier selection processes: issue RFQs, evaluate offers on cost, lead time, technical compliance, and supplier capability Perform supplier audits (financial & background check, workload/capacity assessment) to qualify new sources and monitor existing ones Conduct regular portfolio analysis to identify procurement risks, opportunities, and supply chain vulnerabilities Maintain safety stock sizing and flag potential shortages before they impact production Perform active market watch: identify new suppliers, track industry trends, and relay relevant intelligence to Engineering and Business teams Attend international space exhibitions and supplier visits to stay at the forefront of the market Departmental Contribution As a key member of the team, share your knowledge and best practices with colleagues and actively support the onboarding of new joiners Contribute to the definition and continuous improvement of purchasing procedures and good practices Support Aerospacelab's production ramp‑up by strengthening the supply chain for the portfolio you manage Interactions Reports to the Head of Supply Chain and Procurement Strong day‑to‑day interaction with Project Managers, Engineering, Manufacturing and Sales Works alongside other Buyers, Supply Chain Officers and Warehouse team members Part of a department covering Purchase, Supply Chain, Storage and Transport Regular exchange with international suppliers Must have Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or equivalent 3 to 7 years of experience in a technical buying or procurement role in an industrial environment Proven track record of managing a purchasing portfolio end‑to‑end: from supplier selection to PO follow‑up Hands‑on experience with BOM creation and ERP systems Fluent in English Strong negotiation skills Solution‑oriented and agile mindset Autonomous, organized, and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact clearly with all levels of the organization and with external partners Open to travel for supplier visits and international space exhibitions Nice to have Ability to read and interpret technical drawings Background in aerospace, defense, automotive or other high‑precision industries Odoo ERP knowledge Knowledge of EU export/import processes Experience in team coordination or mentoring Fluent in French #J-18808-Ljbffr