Junior Category Buyer

AB InBev; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

AB InBev Leuven is seeking an Associate Category Buyer to lead sourcing projects across multiple categories and manage end-to-end tenders and e-auctions. You will turn spend data into actionable insights and collaborate with Marketing, Supply and Global Procurement to secure value while maintaining creative quality.

The role emphasizes strong analytical and negotiation skills, English fluency, and an entrepreneurial mindset with ability to work across cultures in a European scope.

Qualifications

• Experience across finance, commercial, marketing, or consulting.
• 1-3 years of working experience in procurement or related field.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Fluent English with strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to collaborate across cultures.
• Interest in procurement, operations, manufacturing, marketing, or supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Own sourcing projects across the category portfolio.
• Run tenders and e-auctions (SAP Ariba / Coupa) end to end.
• Turn spend data into insights and savings pipeline.
• Partner with Marketing, Supply and Global Procurement teams to land value.
• Monitor supplier performance via KPIs, SLAs, and business reviews.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, value engineering, and sustainability.
• Support contract implementation, renewals, compliance, and governance.
• Contribute to strategic procurement process improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Influence & collaboration

Entrepreneurial mindset

Fluent English

Tools

SAP Ariba

Coupa

Job description

Seniority Level: Associate

#Ownership

Category buyer

Based in Leuven | Full-time, in-office | European scope

Purpose:

Brewing the world's most loved beers and building brands consumers love, AB InBev is where ownership, ambition, and action thrive.

We empower you to dream big, lead change, and create a long-lasting legacy.

We value relentless problem‑solvers who take accountability, embrace challenges, and turn bold goals into results through resilience and hard work.

That's Who We Are: Come and OWN IT.

Are you an analytical problem-solver who knows how to deliver? Curious about how the world's biggest beer company manages indirect procurement? We're looking for high-energy professionals who want to manage negotiations, budgets and stakeholder relationships and grow into a strategic role to join either our Marketing Services or Capex/MRO team.

At AB InBev, we hire for potential and impact. We'll teach you the tools you bring the mindset.

What You’ll Do:

• Own sourcing projects across the full category portfolio
• Run tenders and e-auctions (SAP Ariba / Coupa) end to end, from supplier briefing to award
• Turn spend data into insight: benchmarking, scope challenge, savings pipeline
• Partner daily with Marketing/Supply and Global Procurement teams to land value without compromising creative quality
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and business reviews.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, innovation, value engineering, and sustainability improvements.
• Support contract implementation, renewals, compliance, and procurement governance.
• Contribute to strategic projects that improve procurement processes, supplier collaboration, and business performance.

What You’ll Need:

• Relevant experience from any business function (finance, commercial, marketing, agency-side, consulting)
• 1-3Y working experience
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills
• Genuine interest in business, procurement, operations, manufacturing, marketing, or supply chain.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across different cultures and functions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to challenge the status quo.
• Fluent English

What You’ll Get:

• A steep learning curve in one of the world's most dynamic procurement organizations.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders and international suppliers.
• Ownership from day one.
• A structured development path towards Senior Category Buyer, Procurement Manager, and global procurement leadership roles.
• Competitive salary and strong performance bonus.
• Opportunities to work across different procurement categories and European markets.
• The chance to contribute to AB InBev's growth and sustainability ambitions.

BUILD YOUR CAREER WITH US

We recruit for mindset, ambition, and cultural fit.

UNIQUE CULTURE

We are proud to be part of something bigger than ourselves and are passionate about building upon our company’s long legacy.We believe in collaboration and candor, which results in a dynamic culture with open communication.

BRANDS EVERYONE LOVES

We are part of the collective, global history of beer. We are the proud makers of more than 500 iconic brands, from beloved international classics to local favorites.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Our people grow at the pace of their talent. We empower our people to learn, expand their perspectives, and unlock career growth. In an environment where commitment to excellence pays off, our people are able to deepen their impact and create a long-lasting legacy.

#LI-ABI ZoneEUR