Procurement Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Job description

WHO WE ARE Proxima Fusion is Europe’s fastest-growing fusion company and the continent’s best-funded fusion player, as well as the first spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP). Backed by over €650M and powered by a growing team across Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, we are developing the hardware and infrastructure needed to deliver the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. Our concept advances the most mature fusion technology out there, the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, through two next-generation machines: Alpha and Stellaris. Our work combines stellarator optimization, advanced computation, machine learning, and high-temperature superconducting magnets to unlock higher-performance designs that were previously out of reach. Turning these designs into a functioning fusion power plant requires excellence and ownership across every discipline, from physics and engineering to software, manufacturing, law, and business functions. BY JOINING OUR TEAM YOU’LL GET TO - Build the machine that builds the machine. Join TechOps at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, we’re building the production system that will enable commercial fusion. The Production lines, tooling, and processes are being developed from the ground up; you'll create the ways of working, not inherit them. - Work at the frontier of manufacturing technology. Bring your creativity to evaluate, qualify, and deploy processes with no industry playbook, every component you build and every process you shape goes directly into the core of the stellarator magnet technology. - Do work that matters, and see it grow. The hardware you build is the product and your career grows with it, from prototyping and process development through quality and industrialization, alongside exceptional colleagues from around the world. - Make an impact you can point to. In a small, fast-moving team, your calls on equipment, quality, and process directly shape how a world-class deep-tech company produces superconducting magnets with results visible on the shop floor, not buried in a slidedeck. YOUR IMPACT At Proxima Fusion, we're developing the world's leading stellarator technology. To turn cutting-edge designs into reality, we need a supply chain capable of manufacturing components that have never been built before. As Procurement Manager for Advanced Manufacturing, you'll lead sourcing for Proxima-designed components, magnets, machined parts, castings, forgings, welded assemblies and other critical components. Working closely with Engineering and Quality, you'll identify the right manufacturing partners, negotiate contracts and help industrialize Alpha from prototype to production. This is a unique opportunity to shape the supply chain behind one of Europe's most ambitious engineering projects. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Own procurement for advanced manufacturing, engineered components and fabrication. - Develop sourcing strategies for build-to-print components and identify the best manufacturing partners. - Lead RFIs, RFPs and supplier negotiations from market assessment through contract award. - Work with Engineering and Quality to ensure suppliers can manufacture, inspect and deliver components to specification. - Lead supplier industrialisation activities, including manufacturing-readiness reviews, design-for-manufacture feedback, capacity planning and first-article qualification. - Build long-term relationships with strategic suppliers and support their development as Proxima grows. - Manage contract execution, supplier performance, delivery risks and commercial escalations. - Review quotations, understand manufacturing cost drivers and identify value-for-money opportunities. - Improve procurement processes using digital tools and AI to simplify sourcing and decision-making. WHO YOU ARE - Around 5–7 years of experience in procurement, supplier management or strategic sourcing. - Experience sourcing engineered components or manufacturing services. - Good understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, welding, castings or forgings. - Experience reviewing and negotiating manufacturing agreements for build-to-print components, including quality requirements, inspection and test plans, non-conformance management, delivery obligations and change control. - Comfortable working with technical drawings, specifications and engineering teams. - Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills. - You switch cleanly between strategic thinking and execution mode, navigating multi-stakeholder environments with ease and bringing professionalism to everything you touch - Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business or a related field. - Preferred experience in fusion, nuclear, energy, aerospace, defense, automotive, advanced manufacturing, medtech or other regulated technical industries. - Preferred experience with machining, castings, forgings, welding, additive manufacturing, special processes, metrology, inspection or first article inspection. - Preferred experience working with prototypes, low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing or first-of-a-kind hardware. - Preferred familiarity with supplier quality, non-conformance management, manufacturing documentation and inspection/test plans. INTERVIEW PROCESS - Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) - Technical Screening (30 min) - Technical Panel (3x60 min) *This role sits at "PF2" of our framework, please inquire during the recruitment process for further information. At Proxima Fusion, our mission is bold: making limitless clean energy a reality. To get there, we need a high-performing, diverse team that brings different perspectives, challenges assumptions, and builds together with purpose. We know that diversity of thought and experience leads to better ideas, stronger execution, and a more resilient team. We don’t look at how you identify, what you look like, who you choose to worship or what ethnicity you are. We care about what you can bring to the table.