Senior Buyer

KAO; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the beauty sector is seeking a professional to coordinate outsourcing activities related to New Product Development across the EMEA region. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in vendor management and strategic outsourcing, with fluency in English and German. This role offers a flexible work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Ongoing development opportunities

Friendly, flexible work environment

Qualifications

• Fluent in English and German.
• At least 2 years in FMCG sector in strategic outsourcing.
• Experience assessing capabilities of 3rd party manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and manage costs with Third Party Manufacturers.
• Manage a portfolio of strategic vendors and perform regular evaluations.
• Collaborate with internal teams for new product development projects.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Presentation

Financial acumen

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree or equivalent (Bachelor in Business or CIPS advantageous)

Tools

SAP (MM/FTF)

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

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, courageously 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.

Will be responsible for coordinating outsourcing activities related to New Product Development (NPD), vendor management, and routine procurement operations across the Salon, Consumer Care, and Molton Brown sectors 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 compounding, filling, administration, logistics, minimum order quantities, and payment terms with Third Party Manufacturers (3PM).
2. Manage a portfolio of strategic vendors, perform regular business evaluations, and ensure vendors meet performance objectives related to costs, ESG criteria, and OTIF delivery.
3. Collaborate with internal teams to provide briefings for new product development projects, including tendering, analysis of commercial information, and supplier selection.
4. Coordinate with 3PMs and supply planning to secure initial production capacity for new product launches.
5. Identify potential new 3PMs aligned with business needs and coordinate qualification processes with support from relevant departments.
6. Work with vendors and sourcing teams to implement and monitor open book calculations and purchase price variance files.
7. Establish and develop legal agreements with strategic vendors within the EMEA region.
8. Provide expertise on outsourcing topics to internal teams to support business decisions.

What you will need:

• Degree or equivalent (Bachelor in Business or CIPS advantageous)
• Fluent in English and German
• Experience assessing capabilities of 3rd party manufacturers
• At least 2 years in FMCG sector in strategic outsourcing, including contract negotiations and vendor management
• Intermediate/expert knowledge of SAP (MM/FTF)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Strong financial and commercial acumen

How we work:

As one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 16 years, we are committed to quality, care, and sustainability. We foster a collaborative environment where employees can shape their careers, and we value innovative and entrepreneurial thinking.

What we offer:

A friendly, flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits, ongoing development, and opportunities to grow your skills and impact.

Hiring Process:

We embrace diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Join us and be part of a global team making a difference.

Learn more:

Discover why 33,000 people worldwide chose a career with Kao at Kao Careers.