Patek Philippe Buyer / Procurement Specialist

About Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe is an independent Geneva-based haute horlogerie manufacture renowned for artisanal craftsmanship and technical excellence in luxury watchmaking. As a vertically integrated maker, the maison combines traditional ateliers with advanced manufacturing and a global retail network, offering a highly specialised working environment for professionals in supply chain and production.

Role & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for precision watch components (movements, cases, dials, hands, straps and specialised materials) to ensure continuity of supply and competitive total cost of ownership.
• Select, qualify and manage strategic suppliers through performance metrics, audits and continuous improvement programmes.
• Negotiate commercial terms, long-term agreements and contracts, including pricing, lead-times, quality requirements and risk-sharing clauses.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Engineering and Production to translate technical specifications into procurement requirements and to support new product introductions.
• Monitor demand forecasts and production plans to define purchasing plans, safety stocks and replenishment strategies; minimise obsolescence and stock-outs.
• Manage purchase orders, change control and supplier deviations while ensuring compliance with internal procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives, supplier consolidation and value-engineering projects without compromising product integrity or brand standards.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (single-source dependencies, lead-time volatility, geopolitical exposures) and maintain contingency plans.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in procurement/purchasing within a manufacturing or precision-engineering environment; experience in horology or micro-mechanics is highly advantageous.
• Strong negotiating skills and experience establishing supplier contracts and long-term agreements.
• Solid understanding of product lifecycle, bill of materials and quality control processes applicable to manufactured components.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, quality and production teams to support new product introductions.
• Analytical mindset with experience in demand planning, inventory optimisation and cost analysis.
• Professional maturity, commercial acumen and the ability to manage complex supplier relationships.

Skills

Experience

Typically 3–7 years of progressive procurement or purchasing experience in a manufacturing, precision engineering, or luxury goods environment; prior exposure to watchmaking suppliers or micro-components is a strong plus.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline; professional procurement certification (e.g., CIPS) considered an advantage.

Workplace

Culture

Patek Philippe cultivates a culture of artisanry, precision and long-term thinking; employees are expected to combine technical rigour with discretion and respect for tradition. The company values deep expertise, cross-disciplinary collaboration and stewardship of exceptional quality standards.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.