Regional Buyer

Career Opportunities:
Regional Buyer (5668)

Requisition
5668 - Posted
- Pricing, Procurement & Sustainability
- Directs
- Directs, Regional Directs
- Kaukauna Central office - Posting Country (1)

The regional category manager's main purpose is to procure direct materials (fibers, chemicals, packaging) in a way that continuously improves supply quality, service, availability, risk, and total cost management.

The mission is fulfilled by:

• Establishing and implementing a coherent approach for the spend in scope involving the right balance of category management and mass tendering approach
• Planning and executing professional RFx aligned with spend area strategies
• Managing risk and ensuring supply
• Managing external supplier relationships
• Managing internal stakeholder relationships

• Develop and implement a coherent approach for the regional spend under responsibility
  • Support Head of Procurement to create transparency on the regional spend and to decide on the best strategy to address it using fact-based analysis
  • Translate the strategy into an actionable set of initiatives for the region, involving the right balance of category management and mass tendering approach
  • Lead and implement cost reduction initiatives and monitor performance
• Oversee all RFx events, including mass tender, launched in the region
  • Lead RFx and mass tender planning and execution, involving relevant stakeholders from the regional sites
  • Lead supplier negotiations and simple contract execution using Ahlstrom templates
  • Communicate RFx and negotiation outcomes to plant stakeholders, as well as procurement business partners, category managers, and procurement leaders.
• Lead the supplier relationship management process
  • Responsible for managing the overall business relationship with suppliers and distributors
  • Monitor supplier performance and define supplier development plans to address gaps when appropriate
• Manage category performance and deliver yearly P&L impact
  • Responsible for reporting and updating procurement performance in accordance with the Group saving convention
  • Track actual procurement performance vs target, and remove roadblocks to meet business targets
  • Communicate performance to line manager and stakeholders
  • Monitor market category trends within the region and report with procurement forecasts built into budgets and the annual plan
• Define risk management approach for the spend in scope
  • Evaluate and manage supplier risk according to the established risk management framework
  • Identify, lead risk mitigation actions, and monitor progress of implementation
• Actively contribute to the development of the Direct Procurement organization
  • Actively contribute to the journey toward Procurement Excellence
  • Actively support process improvement and digitalization efforts of the organization

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in procurement related field
• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business or related field required
• Experience in raw material planning, buying, negotiating, RFx, risk management, supplier relationship management
• Experience in either raw materials, fibers, chemicals, or packaging is preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, or similar analytical tools
• Ability to travel within the region
• Currently authorized to work in the US on a fulltime basis
• Located near Kaukauna, WI or other Ahlstrom site in US

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.