Category Buyer

About Kerry

About the role

This position will have accountability for €40 M + of Ingredient spend. Reporting to the Procurement Director the candidate should be capable delivering value in an efficient and effective manner and supporting our growth strategy in APMEA. This position is primarily responsible for sourcing and supply, supplier relationship management.

Work Location: 1 Powerhouse - Bandar Utama

Reporting to: Regional Category Director 

Key responsibilities

Sourcing and Supply

• Procurement of Ingredients required by the Kerry APMEA in a timely, cost-effective manner to meet both internal and external customer requirements


• Collaborates with the Global and Regional procurement team to set appropriate risk management and coverage strategies for Ingredients and executes the same in Kerry APMEA


• Responsible for the Quality of Raw Materials delivered to our factories and the effective and prompt resolution of any raw materials non-conformances and any Supplier Audit non-conformances


• Raw Material supply lead-time management to ensure customer OTIF is met.


• Selection of best-in-class suppliers for Raw materials working with Regional Procurement team as appropriate.


• Works in partnership with Integrated Office functions (Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and Engineering) to ensure all quality, costs, supply and sustainability goals are met.

 
Commercial Management:

• Drives costs reduction and Profit improvement programmes in Kerry APMEA on Raw Materials by working closely with RD&A and the Regional Procurement team

 
Manages performance management / measurement:

• Establishes Key Performance Indicator (KPI) measurement objectives that align with the Kerry APMEA Business objectives as well as the Procurement global functional objectives


• Monitors, tracks, and manages key performance against KPI’s to ensure targets are met

 
Supplier relationship management and negotiations:

• Develops and maintains supplier relationships with key suppliers


• Drives Innovation from our supply base to help support both our cost reduction objectives as well as revenue growth objectives


• Measures and reports supplier performance to drive improvement

 
Contract management:

• Ensures we have adequate contractual coverage on Raw Materials


• Drive e-Sourcing initiatives as part of the Procurement Digitalization Strategy

Qualifications and skills

The successful candidate will possess the following experience / skills:

• Established and successful track record within the Food Manufacturing Industry in Procurement.


• A minimum of 5-7 years Procurement / Purchasing experience with an impressive track record of accomplishments and continuous improvements.


• Food Ingredients industry experience is preferred with experience in direct / soft commodity procurement experience most preferred.


• Minimum Bachelor’s degree required

Competencies Required:

• Excellent interpersonal communication, relationship management and good influencing and stakeholder management skills to be able work across all levels within an organization.


• A change agent - energized by making a difference and comfortable dealing with ambiguity.


• Results focused, service delivery mind-set and pragmatic approach.


• Strong commercial acumen with a clear focus on ROI, project management, and budget control.


• Strong communicator, who can operate, influence, and achieve results.