Senior Buyer, Outsourcing

Kao Corporation; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the beauty sector is seeking a Senior Buyer for Outsourcing. This role involves coordinating outsourcing activities and vendor management across various sectors. Ideal candidates will have a degree, fluency in English and German, and experience in the FMCG sector. The position offers a flexible work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible work environment

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 2 years in FMCG sector with strategic outsourcing.
• Fluent in English and German.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and manage costs with Third Party Manufacturers.
• Manage a portfolio of strategic vendors and ensure performance objectives.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Presentation

Financial Acumen

Education

Bachelor in Business

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

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, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

The role:
This position can be based in the UK or Germany and requires fluency in both languages. The role involves coordinating outsourcing activities related to New Product Development (NPD), Vendor management, and 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 business evaluations, and ensure vendors meet performance objectives related to costs, ESG criteria, and OTIF delivery.
3. Collaborate with internal teams to provide briefings to 3PMS for new product development, including tendering, analysis, and supplier selection.
4. Coordinate with 3PMs and supply planning to secure initial production capacity for new launches.
5. Identify and qualify potential new 3PMs in line with business needs, with support from relevant departments.
6. Work with Vendors and sourcing teams to maintain open book calculations and purchase price variance files.
7. Establish and develop legal agreements with strategic vendors in 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. Fluent in English and German.
3. Experience assessing capabilities of third-party manufacturers.
4. At least 2 years in FMCG sector with strategic outsourcing, including contract negotiations and vendor management.
5. Intermediate/expert knowledge of SAP (MM/FTF) and Microsoft Office.
6. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
7. Strong financial and commercial acumen.

How we work: We are committed to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. We foster a collaborative environment where employees can shape their careers and contribute to our goals.

What we offer: A flexible, supportive work environment, competitive salary, benefits, and professional development opportunities. We value entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring process: We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Learn more: Visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/ to discover why thousands choose a career with us.