Category Senior Buyer

Symrise AG; Saddle Brook (NJ); On-site; USD 109,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Symrise AG in the United States (New Jersey) is seeking a Category Team Member/Buyer for Synthetics in Fragrance Procurement. You will manage purchase orders, verify invoices, maintain SAP data, and collaborate with planning and production to ensure supply continuity.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain, 5+ years procurement support experience, and strong analytical, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills. Fluent business English required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a procurement support role or related position.
• Familiarity with procurement processes, order management, and supplier interactions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate SAP data, contracts, info records, and documentation.
• Manage purchase orders, invoice verification, and daily operational tasks.
• Resolve logistics issues, supplier complaints, and order discrepancies.
• Support new material development approvals and change management (PIRs, contracts, onboarding).
• Provide operational input for supplier meetings, negotiations, and vendor evaluations.
• Coordinate with planning, production, and cross-functional teams to ensure supply continuity.
• Participate in sourcing activities including RFIs/RFPs/RFQs, supplier assessments, and TCO-based evaluations.
• Support negotiation strategy, sourcing events, and implementation of cost-saving initiatives.
• Monitor supplier performance, manage relationships, and assist with quarterly reviews and issue escalation.
• Conduct market research, financial analysis, and identify optimization or cost-reduction opportunities.
• Contribute to long-term sourcing strategy, risk assessments, and price-increase alerts.
• Assist with global collaboration, information flow, and alignment across buyers and business units.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Cross-functional communication

Global market awareness

Strategic mindset

Business English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavors, food, nutrition and cosmetic ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and producers of nutritional supplements and pet food.

Its sales of € 4.9 billion in the 2024 fiscal year make Symrise a leading global provider. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented by more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America.

Scent & Care creates and sells fragrances, cosmetic ingredients, aroma molecules and mint aromas. Manufacturers use it to produce perfumes, personal care and cosmetic products, cleaning products and detergents, home fragrances and oral care products.

Scent & Care Procurement team is divided into 2 separate groups

• Fragrance Procurement, reporting directly to Fragrance Business Leadership team.
• Chemicals Procurement (Includes Aroma Molecules & Cosmetic Ingredients), reporting directly to Aroma Molecules Business Leadership team.

The position under recruitment is part of Fragrance Procurement

Your role

Position Summary

The Category Team Member/Buyer for Synthetics plays a critical role in keeping the procurement engine running smoothly and strategically. This position ensures clear communication, accurate data management, and fast resolution of operational issues while supporting key procurement activities across the Synthetics category. From managing purchase orders and supplier interactions to contributing to sourcing strategies and continuous improvement, this role blends hands‑on operational execution with meaningful strategic impact.

Maintain accurate SAP data, contracts, info records, and documentation.

Manage purchase orders, invoice verification, and daily operational tasks.

Resolve logistics issues, supplier complaints, and order discrepancies.

Support new material development approvals and change management (PIRs, contracts, onboarding).

Provide operational input for supplier meetings, negotiations, and vendor evaluations.

Coordinate with planning, production, and cross‑functional teams to ensure supply continuity.

Participate in sourcing activities including RFIs/RFPs/RFQs, supplier assessments, and TCO‑based evaluations.

Support negotiation strategy, sourcing events, and implementation of cost‑saving initiatives.

Monitor supplier performance, manage relationships, and assist with quarterly reviews and issue escalation.

Conduct market research, financial analysis, and identify optimization or cost‑reduction opportunities.

Contribute to long‑term sourcing strategy, risk assessments, and price‑increase alerts.

Assist with global collaboration, information flow, and alignment across buyers and business units.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a procurement support role or related position.
• Familiarity with procurement processes, order management, and supplier interactions.

Background & Profile

• Strong understanding of procurement operations and supply chain dynamics.
• Previous exposure to supporting negotiations and contract management.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.

Skills

• Proficient in using procurement software and tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Familiarity with global and regional market trends.
• Strategic mindset to provide valuable input in negotiations and supplier relationships
• Fluent business English, advantage to have good command of another major language (e.g. Spain or French)

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well‑being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The expected annual salary range for this position is USD $108,500 - $117,180. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and company performance.