Procurement Specialist

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. WHY JOIN PROXIMA FUSION - You will get to work on some of the most complex tech challenges to bring abundant, safe, clean energy to the world. - You'll get to join and learn from an exceptional selection of accomplished and driven individuals. - Do your life’s best work and enjoy the journey. - Get to show that big things are possible in Europe when you assemble the best talent. YOUR IMPACT At Proxima Fusion, we are building the future of clean energy - and we need a Procurement Specialist who thrives at the intersection of technology and execution. In this role, you will drive the development of a robust and agile supply chain that supports our engineering and R&D ambitions. You’ll be responsible for identifying and partnering with top-tier suppliers, shaping sourcing strategies, and ensuring exceptional standards in quality, cost, and delivery. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Strategic Sourcing: Design and execute procurement strategies for professional services, technical consulting, engineering support and research agreements - Supplier Management: Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers; strengthen partnerships with existing vendors to uphold high standards in quality, delivery, and cost-efficiency. - Contract Negotiation: Lead commercial negotiations for service agreements, statements of work (SOWs), framework agreements, and other contractual arrangements while managing commercial and operational risk. - Procurement Operations: Manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for services from request intake and supplier selection to contract execution, renewals, and supplier performance tracking. - Tool & Process Ownership: Drive improvements in our procurement infrastructure including systems, databases, AI adoption and process automation. - Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner closely with engineering, finance, legal, and operations teams to ensure procurement decisions are technically informed, commercially sound, and aligned with company priorities. WHO YOU ARE - Experience: 3+ years in procurement or strategic sourcing, ideally in a fast-paced environment developing complex systems or services. - Commercial & Technical Understanding: You are comfortable working with technical stakeholders and service providers, and can understand technical requirements, supplier capabilities, and project constraints. - Negotiation Excellence: Demonstrated success in contract negotiation, supplier risk management, and cost/value optimization. - Strong Communicator: Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; able to build trust with both internal stakeholders and external partners. - Tools & Systems: Hands-on experience with procurement platforms, ERP tools, and data-driven decision-making. - Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Fluency in English and comprehensive German. - Experience in startups, nuclear / energy, or other highly regulated technical industries such as aerospace, defense, energy, or medtech. - Familiarity with research collaborations, engineering consulting procurement, or framework agreements. - Experience helping scale procurement processes in growing organizations. INTERVIEW PROCESS - Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) - Technical Screening (30 min) - Technical Panel (3x60 min) - CEO call (30 min) *This role sits at "L2" 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.