SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Proxima Fusion is Europe's fastest-growing fusion company and the continent's best-funded fusion player, backed by over €650M. As a spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, the company is developing hardware and infrastructure for the world's first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. The team spans Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, combining stellarator optimization, advanced computation, machine learning, and high-temperature superconducting magnets to unlock next-generation fusion designs.
In this Purchasing Manager role, you will drive the development of a robust and agile supply chain supporting the company's engineering and R&D ambitions. You'll identify and partner with top-tier suppliers, shape sourcing strategies, and ensure exceptional standards in quality, cost, and delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own day-to-day purchasing across Indirect categories, including R&D technical materials, lab equipment, and fast-turnaround prototyping requests that keep engineering teams moving
- Run the full procure-to-pay cycle, from requisition to PO, order tracking, and goods receipt; work closely with Finance to maintain speed and compliance; drive automation and help shape procurement tools (e.g., Coupa, ERP modules) as the company scales
- Serve as the go-to purchasing partner for Engineering and Operations teams; help sharpen requirements, source quotes, and turn complex technical requests into accurate orders
- Identify and onboard new suppliers, run quote requests, evaluate offers, and negotiate price and lead times; work alongside the Purchasing Lead on framework agreements and larger tenders
Requirements:
- 1–3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain, ideally in R&D or Indirect Procurement in a complex deep-tech or engineering setting
- Organized, hands-on, and dependable; follow every order through to delivery, chase suppliers firmly when needed, and speak up when processes could improve
- Technical curiosity and enjoyment of learning what you're buying and why it matters; experience buying for labs, manufacturing, or engineering teams is a strong plus
- Comfortable with ERP and procurement systems (Coupa, SAP, Oracle, etc.); actively use AI tools to automate and improve work
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or engineering, or a commercial apprenticeship (Kaufmann/-frau) focused on purchasing
