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
As the Lead for Indirect Purchasing, you will be the primary architect of our non-production sourcing strategy. You will move beyond transactional buying to build a scalable procurement foundation that empowers our engineers to innovate faster, ensuring they have the critical R&D resources they need without administrative bottlenecks.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Strategic Category Ownership: Take full responsibility for sourcing strategies across Indirect categories, including R&D technical materials, Lab CAPEX, IT, and Professional Services.
Process Architecture & Operations: Design and implement scalable "Procure-to-Pay" processes that balance financial compliance with speed in collaboration with the finance team. You will identify and implement the right procurement tools (e.g., ERP modules, Coupa) to automate routine purchasing.
Stakeholder Partnership: Act as the strategic advisor to Engineering and Operations leadership. You will translate complex technical requirements into commercial tenders and contracts, helping departments forecast major expenditures.
Supplier Relations: Negotiate framework agreements and handle high-value contracts to secure cost savings and minimize risk, specifically for complex technical equipment and services.
WHO YOU ARE
Experience: 5+ years in purchasing with a dedicated focus on Indirect Procurement, MRO, or R&D Sourcing.
Autonomy: You have a proven ability to work independently and set your own roadmap. You don't wait for instructions; you see a gap in the process and fix it.
Technical Savvy: Experience buying for technical environments (labs, manufacturing, engineering) is essential. You understand the difference between OPEX and CAPEX.
Systems: Experience implementing or optimizing procurement software (Coupa, SAP, Oracle, etc.) is a strong plus.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Recruiter Interview (30-60 min)
Technical Screening (30 min)
Technical Panel (3x60 min)
CEO call (30 min)
*This role sits at L3 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.