Senior Buyer

Kao Corporation; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Senior Buyer to coordinate outsourcing for New Product Development in the EMEA region. The role requires strong negotiation and vendor management skills, fluency in English and German, and experience in the FMCG sector. The company offers a flexible work environment and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive Salaries

Ongoing Development

Flexible Work Environment

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in FMCG sector in strategic outsourcing.
• Fluency in English and German required.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and manage costs with Third Party Manufacturers in the EMEA region.
• Manage vendor performance and collaborate with internal teams for NPD.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Presentation

Financial Acumen

Commercial Awareness

Education

Bachelor in Business

CIPS

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

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Who we are: Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves on being listed among the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

The role: This position can be based in either the UK or Germany and requires fluency in both languages. The Senior Buyer will coordinate outsourcing activities related to New Product Development (NPD), vendor management, and routine procurement operations within the KAO Beauty business in the EMEA region.

What you will do:

1. Negotiate and manage costs associated with outsourced finished products in the EMEA region, including logistics, minimum order quantities, and payment terms with Third Party Manufacturers (3PM).
2. Manage a portfolio of strategic vendors, perform business evaluations, and ensure vendors meet performance objectives related to costs, ESG criteria, and OTIF delivery.
3. Collaborate with internal teams to brief 3PMS for new product development, including tendering and supplier selection.
4. Work with 3PMs and supply planning to secure initial production capacity for new launches.
5. Identify and qualify new 3PMs in line with business needs, coordinating with relevant teams.
6. Implement and monitor open book calculations and purchase price variance files with vendors and sourcing teams.
7. Establish and develop legal agreements with strategic vendors within the EMEA region.
8. Provide expertise on outsourcing topics to internal teams for strategic decision-making.

What you will need:

1. Degree or equivalent (Bachelor in Business or CIPS preferred).
2. Fluency in English and German.
3. Experience assessing capabilities of 3rd party manufacturers.
4. At least 2 years of experience in FMCG sector in strategic outsourcing, including contract negotiations and vendor management.
5. Proficiency in SAP (MM/FTF) and Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
6. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
7. Strong financial acumen and commercial awareness.

How we work: As one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 16 years, we are committed to quality, sustainability, and employee development. We foster collaboration and innovation, allowing employees to shape their careers.

What we offer: A friendly, flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits, ongoing development, and opportunities for impact. We value entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process: We embrace diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Learn more: Visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/ to discover why 33,000 people worldwide choose Kao.