Context
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RAJA Group is the European leader in multichannel distribution of packaging, office supplies and industrial equipment, serving more than 2 million customers across 27 countries. Driven by a sustainable growth strategy focused on commercial performance, digitalisation and customer proximity, the Group continues to strengthen its market leadership across Europe.
As part of this strategic ambition, RAJA is recruiting their
Purchase & Product Director
for BENELUX & DACH perimeters (position based in Tongeren). The Purchase & Product Director will be sitting on the Benelux Comex, the position offers high visibility and significant influence across local, regional and Group levels, acting as a key bridge between business operations and Group functions.
The Purchase and Product Director manages a purchasing budget of approximately €70M and an 18-person team based mainly in Belgium. Covering both Purchasing and Product/Category Management across 15–17 categories, the function plays a central role in driving competitiveness, margin performance and customer satisfaction.
The Role
Based in Tongeren (with a strong on-site presence expected), the Purchase & Product Director will lead the strategy, performance and development of purchasing and product/category management activities for Zone 2, fully aligned with the Group vision and policies.
The role combines:
Business leadership : competitiveness, margin improvement and value creation
Operational leadership : processes, workload optimisation, data quality and performance steering
People leadership : coaching and developing an 18-person team within a performance-driven environment
The Director will translate Group strategy into a clear and actionable roadmap for Benelux and Zone 2, ensuring:
optimal sourcing strategies
competitive pricing
customer-centric product positioning
continuous optimisation of the product portfolio
The position also requires close collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Logistics and Group Purchasing/Product teams, while actively promoting the strategic contribution of Purchasing internally.
Key Challenges & Impact
The Purchase & Product Director will play a central role in:
securing competitive and profitable purchasing conditions for Zone 2
developing sourcing strategies across Benelux and DACH
leading category strategies across key product families
continuously optimising product offerings in line with customer expectations and market trends
increasing the internal visibility and strategic impact of Purchasing
improving organisation, prioritisation and sustainable team performance
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a senior purchasing and product professional looking to shape strategy, influence decision-making at executive level and contribute directly to the growth and competitiveness of a European market leader.
Profil
Experience & Background
10+ years of experience in Purchasing, Procurement, Category Management or Product Management
Strong background in B2B environments such as distribution, industry or packaging
Proven experience managing significant purchasing budgets and delivering measurable margin improvements
Experience within international or matrix organisations, balancing Group guidelines with local business realities
Exposure to Benelux and/or DACH markets xphnsxz is highly valued
Strong expertise in supplier management, tenders, negotiations and complex pricing structures
Technical & Functional Skills
Strong command of sourcing, negotiation, contracts, supplier development and risk management
Advanced category management capabilities: assortment strategy, lifecycle management, pricing and innovation
Ability to manage end-to-end purchasing and product processesStrong analytical mindset and affinity with data, reporting tools and ERP systems
Ability to structure processes, prioritise effectively and optimise cross-functional collaboration
Leadership & Soft Skills
Pragmatic and hands‑on leader able to coach, structure and develop teams
Strong influencing and communication skills in commercially driven environments
Resilient, adaptable and comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments
Entrepreneurial, curious and solution-oriented mindset
Ability to challenge constructively and defend priorities with confidence
Languages
Fluent Dutch and English required
French is a strong asset
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