Description
Your RoleWe are looking for a Buyer Specialist, who will report to the Third-party Category Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for executing category strategies to ensure compliant, efficient and value-driven procurement activities. What you will do
Strategy & Planning
1. Provide data, insights, and analyses to Category Managers to support category strategy development (. supplier performance trends, recurring issues, market intelligence).
2. Draft procurement budgets and actively support Category Managers in budget development and tracking.
3. Lead supplier homologation, performance evaluation, and KPI definition and monitoring.
4. Participate in supplier segmentation activities and provide input to supplier risk assessments.
5. Identify, formalize, and share market, supplier, and cost insights with Category Managers.
6. Ensure category strategies support broader business priorities such as innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
7. Operational Sourcing & Execution
8. Lead execution of local sourcing initiatives, including RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, supplier negotiations, and contract implementation.
9. Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers, including pricing, service levels, and contractual conditions, integrating ESG clauses when required.
10. Support execution of SBU- or region-specific procurement initiatives (. local sourcing, supply chain resilience).
11. Ensure correct spend categorization, contract usage, and compliance with procurement policies.
12. Monitor supplier performance through SRM tools, conduct regular supplier meetings, and ensure performance data is accurate and up to date.
Value Delivery & Cost Management
13. Implement cost savings and value creation initiatives in line with overall procurement and category targets.
14. Perform cost analyses, benchmarking, and TCO assessments to identify savings and value opportunities.
15. Ensure procurement initiatives contribute to financial performance, including P&L impact and working capital considerations.
16. Support alignment of procurement initiatives with sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence goals.
Supplier Quality, Compliance & Sustainability
17. Lead supplier homologation processes and ongoing supplier performance evaluations.
18. Monitor supplier compliance with quality, service, and sustainability requirements.
19. Collaborate with Quality, Vendor Assurance, and other functions to address supplier incidents, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
20. Ensure procurement contracts and supplier relationships support ESG and sustainable sourcing objectives.
21. Facilitate sustainability-related discussions and initiatives with key suppliers.
What we are looking for
22. Proven experience purchasing roles (4-6 years max), ideally in a related or equivalent position. FMCG or product-driven experience preferred.
23. Strong end-to-end procurement experience in an international, matrix environment
24. Knowledge of procurement policies, compliance, cost optimization and supplier value creation
25. Experience running RFI/RFQ/RFP and proficient in ERP / S2P tools (SAP, Ariba, Jaggaer).
26. Strong analytical, financial, and negotiation skills
27. Strong Excel and data analytics skills for cost, offer, and ROI assessments
28. Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities
29. Hands-on, results-driven with solid project management skills
30. Fluent in English and Spanish.
31. Availability to travel up to 10% of the time.
What we offer
32. Hybrid working model
33. Flexible working hours
34. Ticket Restaurants
35. Pension plan
36. Fully equipped Gym
37. Breakfast and fresh fruit
38. Affinity University platform: Professional development opportunities for employees at different stages of their careers, acknowledging diverse career paths.
39. Pet-friendly office
40. Celebrations & Fun
If you don’t meet all the requirements, don’t worry. We value diverse backgrounds and encourage you to apply anyway. Your application will be thoughtfully reviewed!We cultivate an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. We firmly believe that embracing a variety of perspectives is integral to both our company’s success and the strength of our team. That’s why we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.Our CompanyAffinity Petcare is more than an international petfood company. For more than 60 years, we have been dedicated to nourishing healthy bonds between dogs, cats, and people to make the world a better place.We are very proud of our innovative brands which include: Ultima, Advance, Brekkies, Nature’s Variety, Nature’s Menu, Natural Trainer, Libra, and more. Currently, we have over 1,200 professionals working for this purpose from Barcelona, Paris, Milan, and London, as well as4 production sites through which we supply the 70+ countries where our brands have a presence.So, what are you waiting for? Join our team to leave your footprint!Want to know more about us?Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and job opportunities. You can also follow us on Instagram to learn more about life at Affinity and hear from our team.