Purpose of the role At Innovad Group, we are strengthening our purchasing organization and are looking for a senior Buyer with a builder’s mindset. In this role, you will take end ‑ to ‑ end ownership of strategic ingredient sourcing while helping to professionalize and further develop how purchasing works as a team. You bring structure, judgement, and human leadership to procurement, ensuring reliable supply, strong supplier partnerships, and sustainable cost performance. Your role at Innovad Group The Buyer Animal Health Ingredients operates in an international setting where English is the primary working language. Based in Essen / Berchem, Belgium, you are responsible for the strategic procurement of animal health ingredients across Europe and beyond. You work closely with Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams, combining ingredient expertise, market intelligence, and negotiation skills to build a resilient and competitive supplier base. The role is office‑based, with regular collaboration on‑site. Home office is possible, offering flexibility where appropriate. Location: We have two locations in Belgium, so candidates can be either based in Essen or Berchem, depending on your preference. Key responsibilities Develop and execute strategic sourcing and procurement strategies for animal health ingredients Select, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers using structured and methodological approaches Own and manage supplier relationships end‑to‑end, including performance, risk, and continuity Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles, covering direct, indirect, and lifecycle costs Conduct spend analyses to identify savings, optimization opportunities, and risk mitigation actions Collaborate closely with QA, Supply Chain, and R&D to align on quality, innovation, and planning Visit suppliers regularly to assess processes, reliability, and development opportunities Monitor market and ingredient developments and translate insights into sourcing decisions Contribute to the evolution of procurement practices and, over time, coach or develop team members What you bring Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in (bio)chemistry, agriculture, supply chain, procurement, or a related field Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic and methodological procurement with end‑to‑end ownership Background in animal health, food, or ingredient‑based industries is a strong advantage Proven experience in supplier negotiations, spend analysis, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) thinking Strong analytical capability combined with sound commercial judgement Demonstrated ability to bring structure and clarity into complex or fragmented setups Experience coaching, developing, or guiding team members as part of building a reliable team Able to influence and align stakeholders across functions without relying on hierarchical authority Comfortable taking ownership in change situations and addressing challenges constructively Comfortable working in an international environment Fluency in English is required; Dutch is a strong plus due to office location and local collaboration What we offer A senior, high‑impact procurement role with real system and cost ownership Responsibility for a strategic ingredient portfolio with exposure across Europe A collaborative, international working environment with short decision lines Opportunities for further growth, including people or category leadership A competitive salary depending on experience and profile Attractive Belgian benefits package (meal vouchers, insurances, holidays, etc.)