Haarslev is an innovative company that provides powerful processing solutions engineered to benefit the global environment. We apply many different technologies to help and enable our customers to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future. As part of this remarkable journey, we are looking for a Strategic Purchaser.
The job
The Strategic Purchaser is responsible for proactively identifying and resolving part availability challenges that impact customer commitments and operational performance. This role serves as an escalation point when standard sourcing channels cannot meet required lead times and partners closely with Commercial, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Suppliers to secure faster and more effective sourcing solutions. The position exercises independent judgment in evaluating sourcing alternatives and recommending solutions that support business priorities.
You will report to the Purchasing Manager and be a part of the Operations team in North America.
Tasks and responsibilities
Act as the primary escalation point for parts with excessive or high-risk lead times that threaten customer delivery or revenue commitments.
Identify and evaluate alternative sourcing strategies, including secondary suppliers, expedited options, substitutes, or redesign recommendations.
Lead time-critical sourcing efforts for constrained, obsolete, or long-lead components.
Develop and maintain a strong understanding of supplier capabilities, market conditions, and component availability trends.
Monitor supply chain risks and proactively recommend mitigation strategies.
Partner with Commercial, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Category Management teams to align sourcing decisions with customer and business priorities.
Support Sales and customer-facing teams by providing clear communication on sourcing options, timelines, and risks.
Develop and document escalation processes, decision frameworks, and sourcing playbooks for long-lead or constrained parts.
Identify recurring lead-time issues and recommend systemic improvements or strategic supplier changes.
Analyze lead-time data, supplier performance, and sourcing outcomes to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
Other duties as assigned by the Purchasing Manager
Requirements
3–5 years of experience in strategic purchasing or sourcing.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
Professional certification such as CPSM, CSCP, or CPIM preferred but not required.
Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
Experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, procurement, or materials management.
Strong problem-solving and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage urgent, high-impact issues with a structured and calm approach.
Excellent communication skills with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
Strong analytical skills and comfort working with data and ERP systems.
Adaptability and ability to work effectively in fast-changing conditions.
Haarslev, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.
Why Haarslev?
Join us and enjoy:
Growth Opportunities: Chart your own professional and personal growth path in this brand-new position.
Influence Matters: Have a say in developing your role because you're not just an employee; you're a crucial part of our journey.
Global Team Dynamics: Work with a skilled, international team dedicated to creating a better tomorrow.
Open Culture: Experience a supportive company culture that values your ideas and contributions.
Work/Life Balance: We believe in a healthy work/life balance, allowing you to thrive in and out of the workplace. If your role permits, embrace the flexibility to work from home when needed.
Application
If you think this sounds like a good match, and you‘re interested in joining one of the leading processing technology companies in the world, please apply below. We do not accept applications via e-mail – you must use the online form to submit your application.
Haarslev encourages anyone interested and suitably qualified to apply for this position.
Haarslev Industries is the world market leader in the design, manufacture, delivery, service and optimisation of durable, high-quality equipment that companies use for recovering and upcycling leftovers from processing meat, poultry, fish and various kinds of industrial waste into sustainable feed and food products, ingredients, proteins and biofuels.
The basic idea behind what Haarslev does is simple. Instead of companies having to dispose of valuable by-products, co-products, leftovers and processing residue as waste, in incineration plants or in landfills, we provide the know-how, technologies and equipment to break these potentially valuable organic materials down and to upcycle and reuse their component parts.
We work closely with our customers to make sure we meet their exact requirements and help them run their operations more efficiently, more profitably and more responsibly. Haarslev know-how, technology and equipment enable our customers to run their operations with lower carbon emissions that also help them reach their ESG targets more easily.
We’re also aiming to help make the world a better place via the effective implementation of circular economy solutions. We enable meat, poultry and fish processing companies to make more effective, more responsible and more profitable use of precious organic resources, and thereby create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future.
Haarslev has approximately 1,000 employees all over the world, with manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Germany, China, USA, Spain and Brazil, and offices/support facilities in 15 countries.
