Job Summary
At IFF, we are shaping the future of taste, scent, and nutrition through science and innovation. As we continue to expand our impact across Europe, we are looking for a Senior Buyer (Raw Materials) to join our Health & Bioscience Business Unit.
In a dynamic and rapidly evolving market environment, this role will lead the sourcing strategy for a raw materials portfolio of approximately €15M, serving key manufacturing sites across the EAME region—primarily within our Bioactives category.
You will play a pivotal role in ensuring supply continuity, cost optimization, and sustainability impact, while building strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Portfolio Scope
The Senior Buyer will manage sourcing activities for the following categories:
* Processing aids (filter aids, antifoams, flocculants)
* Process chemicals (phosphates, ammonia, caustic products)
You will be accountable for full portfolio performance, from strategy definition to execution, and for driving supplier innovation, risk mitigation, and transformation initiatives across the category.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
* Develop and implement regional category strategies to secure supply, optimize specifications, and meet cost and sustainability targets.
* Conduct ongoing spend analysis, market assessments, and supplier landscape evaluations to inform sourcing decisions.
* Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements, product and supplier rationalization, and cash optimization initiatives.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
* Build and strengthen supplier partnerships to enable business growth, innovation, and technology advancements.
* Lead negotiations, establish contracts, and manage performance across strategic suppliers.
* Ensure alignment between supplier capabilities and IFF operational, technical, and sustainability objectives.
Cross‐Functional Collaboration
* Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Business units, Commercial, and Technical Program Leads to ensure full alignment on supply, cost, and risk.
* Communicate category performance, risks, and opportunities to internal stakeholders, acting as the regional advocate for the category.
Risk, Innovation & Sustainability
* Monitor and manage market volatility, developing mitigation strategies and escalation plans.
* Support IFF's sustainability agenda by reducing the CO2 footprint of the category.
* Identify and integrate technological innovations from the supplier market to support business needs.
Continuous Improvement
* Proactively drive productivity, process improvements, and strategic transformation within the category.
* Resolve operational issues in collaboration with internal teams and suppliers.
Qualifications
Required
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
* 4+ years of relevant experience in raw materials procurement or supplier relationship management.
* Strong knowledge of financial analysis, cost modeling, and procurement best practices.
* Demonstrated experience working in cross‐functional teams and managing complex supplier portfolios.
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
* Fluent spoken and written English.
Preferred
* Professional certifications such as CPSM, SPSM, or other procurement/supply chain credentials.
* Experience within the specific procurement categories (process chemicals, processing aids).
* Proven track record in commodity procurement or strategic sourcing within industrial or chemical manufacturing environments.
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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