Freelance Strategic Buyer
Loop
Freelance Strategic Buyer
Loop
Designs and manufactures earplugs for protection
Location: Antwerp / Amsterdam | Freelance | Maternity cover | Experience: 5+ years in strategic sourcing or manufacturing procurement
At Loop, strategic buying shapes how our products are made and what they cost. From silicones and plastics to softgoods and packaging, your decisions directly impact margin, innovation speed, and production readiness.
As Strategic Buyer, you’ll take commercial ownership of your categories. Every RFQ you lead, supplier you position, and cost model you build helps move the business forward.
You’ll build and execute category strategies that reduce structural BOM costs without compromising quality or scalability. You’ll break down supplier cost structures, challenge tooling investments with data, and define MOQ and landed cost setups that protect margin at scale.
You’ll build a strong Approved Vendor List across the right regions, so new product launches are supported by validated, production-ready suppliers. You’ll secure DFM alignment and capacity early, and turn cost, risk, and manufacturability trade-offs into clear decisions that protect timing and margin.
Lead RFQs that turn competitive tension into structural margin gains.
Own supplier onboarding and improve performance across quality, cost, and delivery.
Drive dual sourcing and regional diversification to strengthen supply resilience.
Support the Industrialization Team in preparing products for mass production.
Build long-term supplier partnerships that can grow with Loop.
Wait for endless approvals before taking action.
Hide behind process when outcomes are at risk.
Stay in the background without making your impact visible.
Accept supplier quotes without challenging the numbers.
You combine analytical depth with strong commercial instinct. You challenge assumptions with data and push for better outcomes while building strong supplier relationships. Engineering teams trust you because you understand manufacturing constraints and DFM principles.
You stay structured under launch pressure and focus on what matters most: lower structural costs, strong supplier performance, and production-ready launches.
5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or manufacturing buying.
A strong background in plastics, silicones, softgoods, packaging, electronics or consumer goods.
A track record of negotiating structural cost reductions.
Advanced cost modelling skills, including should-costing, tooling, MOQ, and landed cost.
Familiarity with mass production ramp-up and DFM alignment.
Experience developing regional sourcing strategies and dual-sourcing setups.
Experience working with suppliers in the APAC region is a strong plus.
Avoid tough supplier conversations when margins are at stake.
Rely on others to define your category strategy.
Feel uncomfortable challenging engineering or supplier assumptions with data.
Prioritise harmony over structural cost improvement.
Great. If you’re excited about owning sourcing strategies, challenging supplier costs, and helping Loop launch products with strong margins and production-ready suppliers, we’d love to hear from you.
Interview Process
Application Window: 30 October – 15 November (Applications are only accepted during this window)
Recruiter Screens: 9 – 20 November
Hiring Manager Interviews: 16 – 25 November
Business Case Presentation: 26 November – 2 December
Target Start Date: December 2026 /January 2027 (as soon as possible)
Loop Earplugs makes earplugs that protect hearing while fitting with style. The product lineup includes models for social events, live music, sleep, and focus, sold directly to consumers with accessories, and plus corporate ordering for businesses. They reduce noise to safer levels without losing sound quality, and emphasize design alongside function. Their goal is to help people enjoy events, sleep better, stay focused, and protect hearing while growing a consumer- and business-oriented brand.
Explore more opportunities at Loop