Buyer - Chemicals

Vivos Holdings; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemicals firm in St. Louis, MO, seeks a Chemicals Buyer responsible for sourcing and procurement of raw materials. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree, 3–5 years of relevant experience, and strong negotiation skills. The role involves managing suppliers, monitoring costs, and supporting sustainability efforts. Competitive salary between $80,000 and $130,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in purchasing or sourcing, preferably in CPG or manufacturing environments.
• Understanding of sustainability practices for manufacturing organizations.
• Familiarity with chemical specifications and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and procure chemical raw materials.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues.
• Support sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Project management skills

Collaboration skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Sustainability platforms (EcoVadis, CDP, Sedex)

Job description

Overview

Direct message the job poster from Vivos Holdings

The Chemicals Buyer is responsible for the sourcing and procurement of all chemical raw materials to support manufacturing and distribution operations. This role will manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, monitor chemical costs, and ensure on-time delivery of materials while maintaining quality standards. Success in this role requires strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills as well as the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, R&D, Sales, Quality, and Supply Chain. The Buyer will also support sustainability initiatives and continuous improvement in the chemical supply base.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and procure primary and secondary chemical raw materials (e.g., Surfactants, Emollients, Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Fragrances, and chemicals used in our formulations).
• Develop and manage relationships with chemical suppliers to ensure consistent quality, service, and cost performance.
• Maintain current knowledge of chemical market trends, innovations, and material availability.
• Collaborate with R&D and Marketing on new product development to align chemical sourcing with design and brand strategy.
• Partner with Quality and Operations to resolve supplier issues and drive corrective actions.
• Monitor supplier performance through key metrics such as on-time delivery, quality incidents, and cost savings.
• Lead or support chemical cost reduction and value engineering initiatives.
• Execute purchasing strategies that align with company goals and support business continuity.
• Evaluate and mitigate supply chain risks related to chemical raw materials.
• Support chemical sustainability efforts, including recyclable and renewable chemical solutions.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date data in ERP systems related to chemical procurement.
• Conduct regular market analysis to inform strategic sourcing decisions.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, or related field is preferred.

Experience Requirements

Must have 3–5 years of experience in purchasing or sourcing, preferably in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) or manufacturing environments, with a focus on chemical raw materials.

• Must have an understanding of sustainability practices and requirements for a manufacturing organization.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with chemical specifications, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving business needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and sourcing systems (SAP preferred); experience with sustainability platforms (EcoVadis, CDP, Sedex) is a plus.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

None required; CPM, CPSM, or APICS certification a plus.

Travel

May require occasional visits to supplier manufacturing sites. Occasional travel to supplier sites, industry conferences, or manufacturing facilities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Location: St Louis, MO; Salary: $80,000.00-$130,000.00 (typical range based on experience).