Job Summary

Are you inspired to contribute your expertise to a global leading Ingredients organization? We are a global leader in taste, scent and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of solutions for the food & beverage industry.

We are looking for a dedicated and passionate individual to join our Global Procurement Team as Senior Category Buyer. Come join the global Ingredients leader where science and creativity meet to create essential solutions for a better world!

Your Focus

As Senior Category Buyer, you will be responsible for driving strategic projects to deliver cost-savings, reducing working capital requirements and improving supply security for raw materials used in manufacturing fragrances. You will work on supply, service assurance and vendor management for direct materials to support assigned site(s) in India for manufacturing fragrances.

The role also includes ensure supply continuity of direct materials for the assigned sites, build and leverage supplier network to meet requirements of the site (s) and resolve supply concerns with vendors in most efficient and effective manner. Lead Tail Spend sourcing initiatives and negotiating tail spend for assigned site(s). Participate in implementing procurement policies and procedures.

The role is based in Mumbai, India and will report to Director, Procurement, GA.

How You Will Contribute

Drive strategic projects to deliver productivity savings and reduce working capital requirements.

Respond to plant requests with urgency and ownership.

Understand the market dynamics, economic situation, and business practices.

Develop supplier network in India to meet requirements of IFF Plant (s) in India and globally.

Monitor and manage supplier performance for the assigned location(s)/portfolio and ensure continuity of supply/services for designated sites of responsibility. 

Work closely with planning and manufacturing to address potential supply shortages due to demand volatilities and external supply issues

Manage the local sourcing for the assigned plant(s) and regional sourcing portfolio in accordance with Global Procurement policies, systems and procedures.

Execute tail spend strategy including basic tail management: create, maintain and approve suppliers as per stakeholders’ requests.

Build and manage internal relationships with Operations, Sales, Finance, Legal, Quality, IC&D Team and GRA.  External relationships with suppliers/potential supply partners for smooth and efficient execution of purchasing strategies.

Understands and is updated on business needs and evolution regarding product changes, forecast and critical product demand.

Resolve issues with suppliers regarding delivery, quality, supply problem, pricing and issues with blocked invoice for payment.

Drives Productivity Savings, Payment Terms Improvement and Sustainability Initiatives for tail spend.

Collaborate with Plant managers, Supply Planners and other Staff in Plants Procurement Category Buyers in Greater Asia and other regions Contract Administrators.

What you will need to be successful

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain or any other relevant discipline.

Minimum 8 years of experience in Procurement of direct materials, preferably Chemicals, Fragrances, Flavors, Pharmaceuticals or FMCG.

Good working knowledge of SAP is an added advantage.

Proficient in Project Management.

Basic understanding and skills for procurement activities, including:

Identifying and Developing Suppliers.

Coordination with suppliers on disputes and resolution.

Conducting RFQs for contracting.

Developing and executing negotiation strategies for routine transactions.

Good planning & organizing skills and attention to detail.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Well versed with MS Office (Excel, Word and Powerpoint).

Ability to work under pressure.

Good at numbers or mathematics used in procurement.

Networking; ability to effectively work with a wide variety of organizations and people.

Flexibility to get rapidly adjusted to new situations in a continuous changing environment.

Travel to Vendor Sites and IFF Fragrance Manufacturing Sites as and when required.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more