Head of Purchasing (m/f)

HEAD OF PURCHASING (M/F) REF°333

Type of contract: Full-time and undetermined duration contract (CDI)

The Laboratoire national de santé (LNS) is looking for Head of Purchasing service for a permanent position on a full-time basis.

ABOUT THE LABORATOIRE NATIONAL DE SANTE

The LNS is a major player in the Luxembourg health sector, serving the country’s patients, doctors and hospitals. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Security, the LNS is a multidisciplinary public institution organized around six medical departments, two of which are designated as national diagnostic centers for human genetics and anatomopathology respectively. The LNS employs around 400 highly qualified people with a wide range of backgrounds to serve Luxembourg’ population. The main purpose of the LNS is to develop analytical activities and scientific expertise relating to the prevention, diagnosis and monitoring of human diseases, to act as a national control or reference laboratory and to carry out medico-legal missions. The LNS also collaborates with the University of Luxembourg and other biomedical research institutions, both nationally and internationally, on research and teaching activities. In particular, in terms of diagnostics, the LNS covers the following fields of application: medical biology, microbiology, forensic medicine, environmental medicine, morphological and molecular pathology, and clinical genetics, as well as a whole sequencing section for rare diseases, oncology and pathogens.

RESEARCH PROFILE

The Head of Purchasing service defines the purchasing strategy in collaboration with management and ensures that it is implemented through a targeted choice of products, services and suppliers. He/she represents the institution in dealings with suppliers, negotiates purchasing contracts and coordinates the supply chain and delivery flows. He/she guarantees purchasing performance and the compliance of orders for products or services delivered by suppliers.

Every year, the LNS spends several million euros on purchasing equipment, laboratory consumables and various services (consultancy, maintenance, subcontracting, etc.).

The future Head of Purchasing will be required to carry out the following activities and meet the criteria listed below :

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Define the purchasing policy and implement the purchasing strategy :

• Gather and analyze purchasing requirements, expectations, and priorities from the laboratory’s departments and services;
• Map existing purchases :
• Identify current suppliers and research competitors;
• Identify the types of products or services purchased;
• Analyze purchasing volumes and frequencies;
• Examine contractual and pricing conditions with suppliers;
• Analyze expenditure.
• Identify and assess the criticality of potential risks;
• Incorporate CSR considerations into the purchasing policy;
• Determine strategic areas for optimization, such as adopting a centralized approach for certain purchases or developing a range of preferred suppliers;
• Align the purchasing policy with general guidelines to achieve economic and qualitative performance;
• Translate the purchasing policy into a strategy with clear objectives and key performance indicators;
• Monitor economic and technological trends to stay updated on market developments.

Negotiation :

• Negotiate contracts with suppliers and service providers;
• Identify potential savings, evaluate profit targets, and define cost reduction programs;
• Actively participate in the tendering process by framing requirements and selecting suppliers;
• Draft or approve contracts and framework agreements, with assistance from the legal department.

Managing and liaising with suppliers :

• Monitor supplier performance, organize contract committees and supplier reviews to track changes and adapt to internal requirements;
• Ensure suppliers fulfill their contracts properly, both upstream and downstream of internal processes, and mediate any disputes.

Managing purchasing performance :

• Collaborate with the finance department to monitor budget trends and analyze and interpret costs;
• Implement tools to streamline purchasing processes, particularly by promoting the automation of certain tasks;
• Provide reports to management and business units.

Managing a team and working with internal players :

• Develop and implement procedures, methodologies, and tools within the purchasing department to enhance performance and mitigate risks effectively;
• Monitor purchasing processes, actively contributing to their ongoing improvement and standardization of practices;
• Lead the purchasing team in achieving both individual and collective objectives while ensuring continuous skill development;
• Foster consistent communication and collaboration with business divisions to ensure alignment with objectives;
• Provide training and promote awareness among employees regarding purchasing policy and strategy.

EDUCATION

Level Bac +5 :

• Master’s degree with a major on purchasing;
• Master’s degree in management/management/economics, with additional specialization in purchasing;
• Engineering school diploma with additional specialization in purchasing;
• Business school diploma.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The position requires at least 10 years’ experience, preferably in a medical analysis laboratory, a hospital, a research institute or in the pharmaceutical/chemical biotechnology industry, or any equivalent experience.

Technical Skills :

Essential :

• Excellent knowledge of the entire purchasing process;
• Mastery of management and negotiation techniques;
• Legal knowledge in order to understand the regulatory constraints to which LNS is subject, in particular the law on public contracts;
• Good knowledge of management and financial management techniques;
• Excellent command of French and English;
• Good knowledge of digital tools.

Desirable :

• Good command of IT tools, particularly ERP/software used by the LNS (ODOO);
• Knowledge of the health and research environment in Luxembourg;
• Fluency in Luxembourgish or German.

Soft skills :

• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Strong proposals and convictions;
• Negotiation skills;
• Ability to arbitrate and take decisions;
• Good writing skills;
• Reactivity and ability to deal with a variety of subjects;
• Ability to manage a team;
• Strong work ethic;
• Analytical skills;
• Thoroughness and method.

LNS is an equal opportunities employer. It fosters a multicultural working environment that values gender equality, teamwork and respect for diversity. Qualified candidates are considered without regard to race, colour, age, sex, religion, disability, national and ethnic origin or social status.

If you meet the above profile and wish to apply, please submit your application (CV and Cover letter) via Moovijob.com. Your application will be treated confidentiality.

At the final stages of the recruitment process, the successful candidate will be asked to provide supporting documentation such as, copies of diplomas and certificates of employment. An official criminal record (bulletin no.3) will also be required for consultation purpose.