Overview
Are you passionate about procurement, negotiation, strategic decisions, and vendor management? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where your decisions directly impact operations and customer satisfaction? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
As part of our Global Procurement organization, the Direct Materials Buyer for the Tilburg plant plays a critical role in ensuring the continuity of supply for our manufacturing operations. This position is based in Oviedo, Asturias, following a hybrid work model (3 days in the office, 2 days remote), and focuses on the end-to-end buying process for direct materials, requiring a high level of autonomy, ownership, and responsiveness. This role is responsible for non-transactional work related to the buy in the essential and efficiency quadrants, where stakeholder management, negotiation skills, and a strong focus on risk mitigation to assure supply will be key to success.
Join a dynamic and impact-driven team where your expertise in procurement directly supports plant performance and operational excellence. At IFF, your potential is our inspiration.
Where You’ll Make a Difference
* Lead the buying process for direct materials, ensuring uninterrupted supply for the Tilburg manufacturing site.
* Independently manage supplier relationships, contract execution, and resolution of issues related to material disruptions, delivery delays, single-source dependencies, and quality concerns.
* Negotiate agreements that meet business needs while optimizing cost, quality, service, and payment terms.
* Drive initiatives to reduce single-source risks, localize suppliers near the plant, and negotiate supplier stockholding in the region.
* Proactively reduce spot orders by establishing contracts and long-term agreements with reliable suppliers.
* Monitor supplier performance and lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance service levels and supply reliability.
* Deliver on key sourcing KPIs, including price improvement, payment term optimization, and supplier base reduction.
What Makes You The Right Fit
* 3–5 years of experience in Procurement, ideally in direct materials within a manufacturing environment.
* Strong negotiation and supplier management skills, with a proven ability to resolve issues under pressure.
* Proficiency in procurement tools and systems (e.g., SAP, RFQs, RFPs, auction platforms).
* Analytical mindset with the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to work independently and cross-functionally.
* Fluent in English; Dutch language skills are a strong asset.
How Would You Stand Out?
* Experience managing procurement for essential commodities and mitigating supply risks.
* Proven success in executing Tail Spend strategies and managing urgent buys.
* Six Sigma Green Belt certification or similar process improvement training.
* Deep understanding of supplier ecosystems and market dynamics relevant to direct materials.
* Willingness to travel up to 15% as needed.
Why Choose Us?
* Be part of a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition.
* Work in a collaborative and inclusive environment that values innovation and authenticity.
* Make a direct impact on plant operations and business continuity.
* Access continuous learning and career development opportunities.
* Contribute to sustainable and forward-thinking procurement practices.
* Enjoy a competitive benefits package, including pension plan, health insurance, lunch allowance, and more.
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
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