Procurement Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Proxima Fusion is Europe’s fastest-growing fusion company and the continent’s best-funded fusion player, as well as the first spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP). Backed by over €650M and powered by a growing team across Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, we are developing the hardware and infrastructure needed to deliver the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. At Proxima Fusion, we're developing the world's leading stellarator technology. To turn cutting-edge designs into reality, we need a supply chain capable of manufacturing components that have never been built before. As Procurement Manager for Advanced Manufacturing, you'll lead sourcing for Proxima-designed components, magnets, machined parts, castings, forgings, welded assemblies and other critical components.

Responsibilities

Own procurement for advanced manufacturing, engineered components and fabrication; Develop sourcing strategies for build-to-print components and identify the best manufacturing partners; Lead RFIs, RFPs and supplier negotiations from market assessment through contract award; Work with Engineering and Quality to ensure suppliers can manufacture, inspect and deliver components to specification; Lead supplier industrialisation activities, including manufacturing-readiness reviews, design-for-manufacture feedback, capacity planning and first-article qualification; Build long-term relationships with strategic suppliers and support their development as Proxima grows; Manage contract execution, supplier performance, delivery risks and commercial escalations; Review quotations, understand manufacturing cost drivers and identify value-for-money opportunities; Improve procurement processes using digital tools and AI to simplify sourcing and decision-making

Requirements

Around 5–7 years of experience in procurement, supplier management or strategic sourcing; Experience sourcing engineered components or manufacturing services; Good understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, welding, castings or forgings; Experience reviewing and negotiating manufacturing agreements for build-to-print components, including quality requirements, inspection and test plans, non-conformance management, delivery obligations and change control; Comfortable working with technical drawings, specifications and engineering teams; Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills; You switch cleanly between strategic thinking and execution mode, navigating multi-stakeholder environments with ease and bringing professionalism to everything you touch; Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business or a related field

Nice to have

Preferred experience in fusion, nuclear, energy, aerospace, defense, automotive, advanced manufacturing, medtech or other regulated technical industries; Preferred experience with machining, castings, forgings, welding, additive manufacturing, special processes, metrology, inspection or first article inspection; Preferred experience working with prototypes, low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing or first-of-a-kind hardware; Preferred familiarity with supplier quality, non-conformance management, manufacturing documentation and inspection/test plans

Benefits

Build the machine that builds the machine; Work at the frontier of manufacturing technology; Do work that matters, and see it grow; Make an impact you can point to