Junior Buyer (Strategic Sourcing) Ingredients

United States Digital Space LLC; Sligo; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Coca-Cola Ireland Ballina is seeking a Junior Buyer (Strategic Sourcing) to manage procurement activities for select ingredient categories and support supplier relationships. You will help drive cost competitiveness, ensure compliance, and use data-driven insights to optimize sourcing operations.

Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential as we explore AI-enabled tools to streamline processes. You will partner with senior buyers and cross-functional teams to ensure sourcing

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain or related field.
• 1–3+ years' experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, logistics, or related roles (internships/co-ops considered).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and support negotiations, even for smaller categories or supplier agreements.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data interpretation, cost analysis, and problem-solving.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail in data management and reporting activities.
• Ability to read and interpret commercial contracts, pricing schedules, and supplier compliance requirements.
• ERP system knowledge (SAP preferred); strong Excel proficiency and familiarity with Power BI or similar tools.
• Interest in digital transformation and experience with AI-powered tools or process automation is an advantage.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and teamwork skills, with a service-oriented mindset.
• Positive, proactive attitude and willingness to engage collaboratively to deliver results and solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement activities for small-spend, low-to-medium complexity ingredient categories and ensure timely, accurate order execution.
• Lead negotiations for assigned ingredients, including pricing, service levels, lead times, and payment terms, while adhering to governance and policies.
• Prepare and present sourcing plans and category analyses for assigned ingredients, including risk assessment and supplier improvement opportunities.
• Support senior buyers during complex negotiations by providing analysis, supplier proposals, and data-driven scenarios.
• Maintain pricing, supplier data, and other procurement information in sourcing systems.
• Monitor supply availability and identify risks, escalating issues and recommending mitigation actions.
• Participate in resolving supplier or quality-related issues with plants, planning, and quality teams.
• Manage and improve supplier relationships with regular performance follow-ups and business reviews.
• Generate reports and dashboards using Excel and Power BI, providing insights into cost, inventory, and supplier metrics.
• Apply AI-enabled tools for drafting negotiation briefs, summarizing supplier communications, and improving reporting efficiency.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Data interpretation

Accuracy and attention to detail

Communication & stakeholder management

Teamwork

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Supply Chain

Tools

SAP

Excel

Power BI

Job description

At the company, sourcing the highest-quality ingredients is at the heart of delivering beverages that consumers trust and enjoy every day. As our portfolio and supply chain evolve, the ability to manage ingredient categories with precision and agility is essential to sustaining operational excellence and business growth.

The Junior Buyer (Strategic Sourcing) - Ingredients will play an integral role in supporting the Strategic Sourcing team by handling procurement activities for select ingredient categories, managing supplier relationships, and driving efficiency in day-to-day sourcing operations. This role is ideal for a results-focused individual who combines strong analytical capability with negotiation skills, digital curiosity, and a customer-service mindset.

In this position, you'll partner with senior buyers, supply planning, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure sourcing continuity, compliance, and cost competitiveness while exploring AI and digital solutions to streamline processes and improve insights. Joining our technical innovation & supply chain organization means becoming part of a forward-thinking team that values collaboration, growth, and innovation.

What You'll Do for Us

• Manage procurement activities for small-spend, low-to-medium complexity ingredient categories and ensure timely, accurate order execution
• Lead negotiations for assigned ingredients-including pricing, service levels, lead times, and payment terms-while adhering to procurement governance and compliance policies
• Prepare and present sourcing plans and category analyses for assigned ingredients, incorporating risk assessment, cost drivers, and supplier improvement opportunities
• Support senior buyers during complex negotiations by providing analysis, supplier proposals, and data-driven scenarios
• Maintain accurate pricing, supplier data, and other procurement information in sourcing systems and tools
• Monitor supply availability and proactively identify risks, escalating issues to stakeholders and recommending mitigation actions
• Participate in resolving supplier or quality-related issues in collaboration with plants, planning, and quality teams
• Manage and improve day-to-day supplier relationships, including regular performance follow-ups and supporting business reviews
• Generate reports and dashboards using Excel and (where possible) Power BI, providing insights into cost performance, inventory, and supplier metrics
• Demonstrate initiative in applying AI-enabled tools (where approved) for drafting negotiation briefs, summarizing supplier communications, identifying data anomalies, and improving reporting efficiency
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with company policies, including contract documentation, audit readiness, and confidentiality requirements
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, R&D, Quality, and Legal to support supplier onboarding, ingredient changes, and documentation needs

Requirements & Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field
• 1-3+ years' experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, logistics, or related roles (internships/co-ops considered)
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and support negotiations, even for smaller categories or supplier agreements
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data interpretation, cost analysis, and problem-solving
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail in data management and reporting activities
• Ability to read and interpret commercial contracts, pricing schedules, and supplier compliance requirements
• ERP system knowledge (SAP preferred); strong Excel proficiency and familiarity with Power BI or similar tools
• Interest in digital transformation and experience with AI-powered tools or process automation is an advantage
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and teamwork skills, with a service-oriented mindset
• Positive, proactive attitude and willingness to engage collaboratively to deliver results and solve problems

What We'll Do for You

• Provide hands‑on experience in strategic sourcing, category ownership, and supplier relationship management with exposure to a global network
• Enable professional development in analytics, negotiation, and digital capabilities, including practical applications of AI in procurement workflows
• Offer collaborative opportunities across multiple functions, positioning you for a future career path in supply chain leadership, category management, or procurement strategy
• Empower you to make meaningful contributions to a sourcing organization evolving toward digital, agile, and insight‑led procurement practices

Compliance

Location(s):Ireland

City/Cities:Ballina

Travel Required:00% - 25%

Relocation Provided:No

Job Posting End Date:September 6, 2026

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what's possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors - curious, empowered, inclusive and agile - and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.