Procurement Manager - Siting & Infrastructure

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 are building the first generation of stellarator power plants. To make that happen, we need world-class infrastructure. As Procurement Manager for Siting & Infrastructure, you'll lead sourcing for the facilities and services that will enable Alpha, our stellarator demonstrator - from site preparation and utilities to construction works and engineering services. You'll work closely with Engineering, Siting, Legal and Finance to identify the right partners, negotiate contracts and ensure critical projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget. 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 construction, infrastructure, utilities and site development activities. - Develop sourcing strategies and identify the best contractors and suppliers for each package. - Lead RFIs, RFPs and contract negotiations from market assessment through supplier selection. - Build long-term relationships with contractors, engineering firms and infrastructure partners. - Work with the infrastructure team and its commercial and contracts leads to align procurement with permitting, construction schedules and project milestones. - Support contract execution by managing change orders, supplier performance and commercial risks. - Improve procurement processes using digital tools and AI to simplify sourcing and decision-making. - Collaborate across Siting & Infrastructure, Legal, Finance and Quality to keep projects moving. WHO YOU ARE - Around 8+ years of procurement, sourcing or commercial experience. - Hands-on experience reviewing and negotiating construction, engineering services, EPC/EPCM and equipment supply contracts, including commercial terms, liabilities, warranties, change orders and acceptance provisions. - Strong negotiation and contract management skills. - Comfortable working with technical stakeholders in fast-moving project environments. - Fluent in German and English. - A pragmatic problem solver who enjoys building relationships and finding creative solutions. - 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, Construction Management, Business or a related field. - Preferred experience in energy, nuclear, fusion, aerospace, infrastructure, industrial facilities or other highly regulated technical industries. - Preferred experience with German construction markets, contractor networks, permitting interfaces, HSE requirements or industrial site development. - Preferred experience working in scale-up, project-driven or first-of-a-kind technical environments. 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.