Mission Purpose
Ensure continuity, acceleration, and control of Automation‑related sourcing activities in support of the industrial investment and project execution agenda.
The role is accountable for defining and executing the Automation category strategy, securing sourcing and delivery for automation‑intensive projects, and reinforcing governance, supplier performance, and procurement capability in a highly technical, project‑driven environment.
Scope of Responsibility
1. Automation Category Strategy & Market Intelligence
* Develop and deploy a Automation category strategy aligned with manufacturing, engineering, and digitalization roadmaps.
* Cover automation‑related scopes including (non‑exhaustive):
* PLC / DCS systems
* MES / industrial IT interfaces (where CAPEX‑driven)
* Instrumentation & control
* Robotics, machine automation, and packaging line automation (incl serialization)
* System integrators and automation engineering services
* BIM
* Build and maintain strong market intelligence on automation suppliers and integrators (OEMs, global players, niche specialists), including:
* Cost drivers (hardware vs engineering content)
* Capacity and dependency risks
* Technology lifecycle and obsolescence risks
* Define appropriate sourcing and contracting models (framework agreements, project‑based awards, hybrid OEM/integrator models).
2. Project Pipeline & Early Involvement
* Build and actively manage the automation sourcing pipeline in close collaboration with:
* Engineering & Automation teams
* Project Management and Operations
* Finance and Investment governance
* Ensure early procurement involvement in automation‑heavy CAPEX projects to:
* Secure critical supplier capacity
* Anticipate long lead items
* Optimize scope split between OEM, integrator, and internal resources
* Act as procurement single point of contact for automation topics across CAPEX projects.
3. Strategic Sourcing & Contracting (Automation Focus)
* Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing for automation scopes:
* Make‑or‑buy analysis (internal engineering vs external integrators)
* RFx processes adapted to technical automation scopes
* Technical/commercial alignment with Engineering
* Negotiation and contract award
* Structure and manage preferred automation supplier panels, ensuring:
* Performance consistency across sites and projects
* Cybersecurity and IP protection where relevant
* Technology standardization where possible
* Support complex negotiations using benchmarks and cost models specific to automation engineering, hardware, and software content.
4. Governance, Risk & Performance Management
* Ensure consistent procurement governance for automation CAPEX projects:
* Compliance with sourcing processes
* Clear decision and escalation rules
* Work closely with Procurement Project Managers supporting execution.
* Provide clear visibility on:
* Cost drivers (hardware, engineering, integration, commissioning)
* Risks (single‑source, obsolescence, cybersecurity, schedule)
* Savings and value creation vs investment objectives
* Monitor automation supplier performance across CAPEX projects.
5. Capability Building & Knowledge Transfer
* Strengthen automation procurement maturity within the organization through:
* Standard sourcing playbooks for automation
* Contractual templates adapted to automation and system integration
* Clear vendor segmentation and sourcing logic
* Ensure structured knowledge transfer so that automation sourcing practices remain sustainable post‑mission.
Key Deliverables
* Procurement Automation category strategy aligned with engineering and digital roadmaps
* Structured automation supplier & integrator panel (OEMs, integrators, specialists)
* Automation‑specific benchmark and cost models
* Standardized RFx and contract templates for automation scopes
* Clear procurement roadmap for automation CAPEX beyond the interim period
Profile & Experience Required
* Senior procurement professional with strong experience in Automation.
* Proven ability to operate in complex, automation‑intensive industrial environments.
* Strong interface with Engineering, Automation specialists, IT/OT, Project Management and Finance.
* Hands‑on, delivery‑oriented profile, comfortable with interim accountability.
* Able to operate credibly at both strategic category level and detailed technical sourcing level.
Key Skills & Competencies
* CAPEX Automation sourcing & system integrator management
* Category strategy & supplier panel structuring
* Cost modeling (hardware vs engineering vs services)
* Contracting for automation & integration scopes
* Stakeholder alignment in technical environments
* Governance, risk, and delivery focus