Universo Buyer (10-month fixed-term)
- Employment
- Contract
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Department
- Supply Chain, Logistics & Inventory
- Industry
- Fine Watches & Horology
- Posted
- May 8, 2026
About Universo
Universo is a Swiss manufacturer and recognised European leader in the production of watch hands and dial appliqués, with over 110 years of technical expertise. Based in La Chaux‑de‑Fonds, the company combines precision manufacturing and artisanal know‑how to serve haute horlogerie and industrial watchmaking clients across Europe.
Universo — La Chaux-de-Fonds: Buyer (10-month fixed-term) to manage procurement for watch‑hand production.
Role & Responsibilities
- Manage the end‑to‑end procurement process for components and raw materials: source suppliers, issue requests for quotation, place purchase orders and follow through to delivery.
- Negotiate commercial terms, prices and lead times with existing and new suppliers to optimise cost, quality and delivery performance.
- Coordinate inventory replenishment and material planning in collaboration with production and logistics to prevent shortages and minimise stock.
- Conduct supplier qualification and performance monitoring, including corrective actions in partnership with quality assurance.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier contracts and purchasing KPIs; prepare procurement reports for management.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders (production, engineering, quality, finance) to align procurement with manufacturing needs and specifications.
Qualifications
- Several years of professional experience in procurement or purchasing, preferably within precision manufacturing, components or watchmaking.
- Solid negotiation skills and proven ability to manage supplier relationships and commercial contracts.
- Analytical mindset with experience in forecasting, inventory control and cost analysis.
- Autonomous, organised and capable of working across functions in a small industrial environment.
- Fluent professional French and good working knowledge of English is an asset.
Skills
Experience
Approximately 2–5 years in purchasing/procurement roles, ideally in precision manufacturing or the watchmaking supply chain. Experience with supplier negotiation, inventory planning and cross‑functional coordination is expected.
Education
Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business administration, engineering or equivalent vocational/commercial apprenticeship.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, with easy access to Neuchâtel.
Culture
Universo blends long-standing Swiss horological craft with industrial precision, fostering a pragmatic, quality-driven workplace. The environment values technical competence, collaboration across small teams and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Universo, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Procurement Specialist», «Purchasing Officer», «Sourcing Buyer», «Purchasing Coordinator», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.