Category Buyer - #44803

Job Description

Category Buyer

Posting Start Date: 18/05/2026

Entity: International Olympic Committee

Department: Finance

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Contract Type: Temporary

Activity Level: 100%

Contract Duration: Contract ends 31/03/2028

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the guardian of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement. A truly global organisation, it acts as a catalyst for collaboration between all Olympic stakeholders, including the athletes, the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the International Sports Federations (IFs), Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, the Worldwide Olympic Partners and Media Rights-Holders. It also works with public and private authorities, including the United Nations and other international organisations.

If you are an experienced procurement professional and the vision to build a better world through sports inspires you, this is a unique opportunity for you to become part of the Olympic Movement and join the IOC.

This position sits within the Procurement function and focuses on end‑to‑end sourcing and procurement activities for assigned indirect categories, primarily Marketing & Communications, alongside procurement excellence, governance and responsible procurement practices. The role includes oversight of purchase‑to‑pay activities within SAP, supplier setup, contract review & approval and accurate procurement reporting. You will act as a trusted business partner to internal stakeholders while ensuring strong commercial outcomes and compliance.

As a Category Buyer, you will manage procurement engagements from early intake through sourcing, supplier award and onboarding. You will work closely with business stakeholders, providing guidance and support throughout the procurement process, leading complex sourcing activities when required, and ensuring consistency with IOC governance, policies and responsible procurement principles.

You will also contribute to procurement excellence through sound processes, reliable reporting, pipeline visibility and continuous improvement of ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing & Stakeholder Partnership

• Manage end‑to‑end procurement engagements for assigned indirect categories, from intake through sourcing, supplier award and onboarding.
• Act as a trusted business partner to internal stakeholders, providing guidance, advice and hands‑on support throughout procurement processes.
• Proactively manage the procurement pipeline by building strong stakeholder relationships and anticipating upcoming needs.
• Lead sourcing activities for high‑value, high‑risk or business‑critical engagements, including competitive tenders, benchmarking and justified direct awards.
• Lead commercial negotiations and supplier discussions to secure optimal value and appropriate risk mitigation.
  
  

Advisory, Analysis & Contract Management

• Provide advisory support for lower‑complexity sourcing engagements, including route‑to‑market recommendations and quality checks.
• Perform spend and supplier analysis for assigned categories, developing insights and contributing to dashboards and management reporting.
• Support the definition of clear scopes of work and briefing documents.
• Review contractual documentation in close collaboration with internal Legal stakeholders, providing commercial input where required.
• Review purchase requisitions, supplier setup requests and agreements in SAP to ensure compliance with IOC policies and procedures.
  
  

Responsible Procurement & Procurement Excellence

• Contribute to the development and application of the IOC’s Responsible Procurement programme, embedding responsible sourcing criteria into supplier selection.
• Maintain accurate procurement and pipeline information for in‑scope engagements.
• Support the continuous improvement of procurement processes, templates and guidance.
• Ensure appropriate purchase‑to‑pay (P2P) oversight within SAP and contribute to SAP P2P enhancements as required.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience in indirect procurement. Strong knowledge of source-to-pay systems and tools, including Power BI and SAP would be beneficial.
• Communication Skills: Fluency in English and/or French, with excellent proficiency in the other language.
• Educational Background: A Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, preferably with professional procurement qualifications (CIPS, etc.).
• Key Competencies: Strong analytical skills, exceptional communication and negotiation abilities, a customer service mindset, project management capabilities, and the ability to influence and facilitate change.
  
  

Come and join an organisation where the spirit of inclusion, gender equality and diversity is embedded in its DNA and which focuses on what unites us – a passion for sport and its values. Work in a flexible and rewarding environment which offers competitive employee benefits and numerous incentives to live a sustainable, healthy and active life. By joining us, you become part of the Olympic Movement and help to build a better world through sport. You will have the opportunity to work with people of more than 70 nationalities.

Ready for the Next Step?