Purchasing Manager

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 Purchasing Manager 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 - Purchasing Operations: Own day-to-day purchasing across Indirect categories, including R&D technical materials, lab equipment and fast-turnaround prototyping requests that keep our engineering teams moving. - Procure-to-Pay Excellence: Run the full purchase order cycle, from requisition to PO, order tracking and goods receipt. Work closely with Finance to keep the process both fast and compliant. Drive automation and help shape our procurement tools (e.g. Coupa, ERP modules) as we scale. - Engineering Partnership: Be the go-to purchasing partner for our Engineering and Operations teams. Help sharpen their requirements, source the right quotes and turn complex technical requests into accurate orders. - Supplier Management: Identify and onboard new suppliers, run quote requests, evaluate offers and negotiate price and lead times. Work alongside the Purchasing Lead on framework agreements and larger tenders, building commercial experience as you go. WHO YOU ARE - Experience: 1–3 years in purchasing, procurement or supply chain, ideally in R&D or Indirect Procurement in a complex deep-tech or engineering setting. - Ownership: You're organized, hands-on and dependable. You follow every order through to delivery, chase suppliers firmly when needed, and speak up when a process could work better. - Technical Curiosity: You enjoy learning what you're buying and why it matters. Experience buying for labs, manufacturing or engineering teams is a strong plus. - Digital Mindset: You're comfortable with ERP and procurement systems (Coupa, SAP, Oracle, etc.) and you actively use AI tools to automate and improve the way you work. - Education: A bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or engineering, or a commercial apprenticeship (Kaufmann/-frau) focused on purchasing. 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.