Purchasing Governance, Risk and Compliance Expert

We are seeking a highly skilled Purchasing Governance, Risk, and Compliance Expert to join our team. In this critical role, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining governance frameworks, risk management strategies, and compliance protocols for our purchasing and procurement operations with a focus on local and regional topics, as well as global risk management and export control.

This role is a leading self position and will be performed in Lousado (Portugal), reporting directly to the Head of the this Area in Hannover (Germany).

Internal Control systems and Rule Governance:

• Governance Frameworks: Develop and implement governance frameworks with local and regional focus, ensuring their integration into global policies.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with policies, standards, and regulations, focusing on local and regional activities.
• First Line of Defense: Lead local controls, assessments, monitoring, and incident management.
• Regulatory Updates: Work with teams and stakeholders to align procurement with GRC best practices and goals.
• Monitoring: Conduct regular monitoring activities to ensure compliance.

Risk Management and Export control:

• Risk Management: Design and update the risk management system, managing governance frameworks, standards, and tools.
• Export Compliance Policies: Develop and adjust export compliance policies, standardizing procurement procedures.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Oversee changes in risk methodologies, ensure mitigation accountability, and escalate critical issues.
• Representation in Governance Initiatives: Represent Procurement in governance discussions, ensuring alignment with company-wide compliance strategies.
• Liaison with Other Departments: Collaborate with departments to maintain regulatory compliance and ensure consistent procurement policies.

• University Degree in Business Administration, Law, Risk Management or comparable areas of study
• Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related field.
• Consolidated experience in process management and IT.
• Strong process understanding (end-to-end process thinking), especially in procurement and/or supply chain processes; in-depth knowledge of foreign trade, export control, and/or customs law is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Experience with specific GRC – Governance, Risk & Compliance systems (e.g., SAP GRC) is a plus.
• Knowledge of industry-specific governance, risk management, and compliance practices and standards is preferred.
• Intercultural competence
• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken): minimum B2 European level. 
• Strong Excel skills preferred.
• High ability to work in a (virtual) teams.