Senior Buyer - Manage Purchase Orders - Japanese Speaker
Expectations from the Role
- Provide digital/email-based help desk support for procurement service requests, issues, disputes, and Level 1 “how-to” questions.
- Guide end users on proper buying channels, procurement policies, procedures, and requisition changes.
- Log, track, and follow up on end-user and supplier inquiries, issues, disputes, and order-management requests.
- Maintain and update contact center procedures, tools, scripts, templates, and service documentation.
- Review approved requisitions for completeness, accuracy, policy compliance, pricing, terms, and supplier/channel alignment.
- Create, update, and manage purchase orders in Ariba, including manual/non-catalog PO creation and approved modifications.
- Send purchase order information to suppliers and support PO order-management questions from end users and suppliers.
- Expedite or de-expedite orders as requested and follow up with suppliers for ETA and order acknowledgements.
- Support urgent down-tool requests by validating request details, creating POs, coordinating supplier follow-up, and resolving discrepancies such as price or ETA changes.
- Download, validate, and reconcile blocked invoices for completeness, accuracy, policy compliance, proof of delivery, bill of lading, or tracking documentation.
- Raise and manage resolution requests or escalation tickets based on invoice and goods-receipt issues until resolution.
- Accept or reject invoices as appropriate and complete assigned SOX compliance files within required timelines.
- Notify internal stakeholders of supplier service issues, late deliveries, or dissatisfactory interactions.
- Provide feedback on purchased goods and services specifications when appropriate.
Required Skills & Experience
- Experience in procurement operations, procure-to-pay, purchase order management, invoice reconciliation, accounts payable support, or a related shared-services environment.
- Working knowledge of Ariba or comparable procurement/e-sourcing platforms.
- Strong understanding of requisition-to-PO workflows, supplier communication, invoice-block resolution, and procurement compliance.
- Ability to follow standard operating procedures, maintain documentation, and meet service-level timelines.
- Strong attention to detail when reviewing requisitions, invoices, pricing, terms, delivery confirmations, and supporting documentation.
- Clear written communication skills for end-user and supplier support through digital channels.
- Ability to prioritize urgent requests, including down-tool or line-down situations.
- Familiarity with SOX controls and compliance documentation is preferred.
Systems and Tools
- Ariba procurement platform
- Email/digital help desk or ticketing tools
- Reporting/data repositories such as BW or equivalent systems
- Microsoft Excel and standard office productivity tools
Desired Competencies (Technical/Behavioral Competency)
Must-Have
- Experience in Monitor/Manage Supplier Information
- Create/Distribute PO, reconcile purchase orders, research & resolve order exceptions. SAP S4/ ERP and Ariba usage experience
Good-to-Have
- Experience in Purchasing, Sourcing & Supplier Management for goods/ services.