Senior Category Manager and Buyer - Automation

Are you ready to shape the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing technology? Join our global procurement team to drive strategic automation sourcing that directly supports the production of life-saving medicines.

Site‑based role

This role is primarily based on site. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

Start date: October / November 2026

Contract: 12 months

Location: Visp, Switzerland

Hours: 41 hours per week

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.

• An inclusive and ethical workplace.

• Competitive hourly rate.

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

• Drive global impact by owning and executing the Automation Procurement category strategy across manufacturing sites.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders in Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, IT/OT, Quality, and Supply Chain.

• Lead high-value commercial negotiations and framework agreements with major automation OEMs, system integrators, and technology suppliers.

• Optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) across the complete equipment and software lifecycle, including upgrades and spare parts.

• Lead project procurement activities for key CAPEX, facility expansion, and technology initiatives from design to commissioning.

• Contribute to global benchmarking, process standardization, and technology consolidation initiatives across site networks.

• Manage single-source dependency risks and oversee vendor performance to ensure continuous supply and modern compliance.

What we are looking for:

• 10+ years of professional experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or category management within a multinational environment.

• Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or a related discipline.

• Strong product, application and lifecycle understanding of industrial automation systems (including PLC, DCS, SCADA, and MES interfaces) - knowing why they are needed and how they operate across the lifecycle without needing to be an end-user operator.

• Proven track record in negotiating complex equipment, software licensing and service contracts with major industrial OEMs.

• Experience supporting CAPEX and technology projects with a focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization.

• Familiarity with the technical, commercial or validation requirements of pharmaceutical or regulated process manufacturing (GMP exposure beneficial).

• Professional fluency in English is required; German skills are beneficial.

• Willingness and flexibility to travel up to 20% (approx. 1 day/week) across Switzerland, Europe, and internationally, including daily trips to sites within Switzerland.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

As Lonza’s talent acquisition partner, please note, Randstad is responsible for the engagement and contracting of this contingent role.

Ready to play your part in shaping the future of life sciences? Apply now.