Category Buyer

Kerry; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nutrition company in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Category Buyer to manage over €20 million in ingredient spending and drive procurement strategies. The ideal candidate will bring at least five years of procurement experience, particularly in the food ingredients industry. Responsibilities include sourcing, supplier management, ensuring quality standards, and implementing sustainability practices. This role involves collaboration with regional teams and a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of procurement/purchasing experience.
• Experience in food ingredients industry or commodity procurement is preferred.
• Ability to navigate through ambiguity and manage change.

Responsibilities

• Procure ingredients efficiently to meet customer needs.
• Collaborate with teams to manage risk and set strategies.
• Implement sustainability practices in sourcing.
• Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers.

Skills

Procurement skills

Vendor management

Supply Chain Management

Commercial acumen

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Job description

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition.

About the role

• Work Location: 1Powerhouse, PJ (5 mins walk from MRT Bandar Utama)
• Reporting Line: Regional Category Director
• Working Hours: 8.30am – 5.30pm

As a Category Buyer, you will manage over €20 million in ingredient spend and deliver value across the APMEA region. You will be responsible for sourcing, supplier relationship management and supporting Kerry’s growth strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Procurement of ingredients to meet internal and external customer requirements in a timely, cost‑effective manner.
• Collaborate with global and regional procurement teams to set risk‑management and coverage strategies.
• Develop and implement strategy for key ingredient category.
• Ensure quality of raw materials, resolve raw material and supplier audit non‑conformances promptly.
• Manage raw material supply lead‑time to meet customer OTIF.
• Select best‑in‑class suppliers in partnership with regional procurement.
• Partner with supply chain, quality, operations and engineering to meet quality, cost, supply and sustainability goals.
• Implement sustainability practices to demonstrate social and environmental responsibility.
• Establish KPI measurement objectives aligned with APMEA business objectives.
• Monitor, track and manage KPI performance.
• Develop and maintain key supplier relationships.
• Drive innovation and cost reduction.
• Measure and report supplier performance.
• Ensure contractual coverage on raw materials.
• Drive e‑sourcing initiatives as part of procurement digitalisation strategy.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum five years of procurement/purchasing experience with a track record of continuous improvement.
• Experience in food ingredients industry or direct/soft commodity procurement.
• Change agent mindset; comfortable dealing with ambiguity.
• Results‑focused, service‑delivery mindset and pragmatic approach.
• Commercial acumen and focus on ROI, project and budget management.