Job Description
Purpose
The Senior Buyer, Indirect is responsible for independently managing the Indirect Procurement portfolio across Japan and Korea (NEA region).
This role will act as the primary procurement contact for Indirect categories in NEA, partnering closely with local, regional and global stakeholders to develop and execute sourcing strategies, deliver cost efficiencies and productivity, ensure supply and service continuity, and drive sustainable value for the business.
The role requires a hands-on and experienced Indirect Procurement professional who can independently manage the full procurement lifecycle, from stakeholder engagement and sourcing strategy development through supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, implementation and supplier relationship management.
Job Duties
- Independently manage the Indirect spend portfolio across Japan and Korea, with ownership of sourcing activities, commercial negotiations, contract management and supplier performance.
- Manage key Indirect categories including Sales & Marketing, Logistics (Warehouse), IT/Technology, Leases & Rental, HR Services, Facilities Management, Travel, Utilities, Fees and Consultancies.
- Develop sourcing strategies based on business requirements, spend analysis, supplier market intelligence, cost drivers and commercial opportunities.
- Work closely with the ANZ Indirect Team and Global Category Leads based in Amsterdam to translate regional and global category strategies into effective local execution within NEA while addressing local business requirements and market conditions.
- Independently lead the end-to-end procurement process, including identification and scoping of requirements, sourcing strategy development, supplier identification and development, RFP/RFQ, cost analysis, supplier selection, commercial negotiation, contract development and negotiation, implementation, contract lifecycle management and supplier relationship management.
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to deliver competitive commercial outcomes while maintaining service quality and supply continuity.
- Develop, review and negotiate commercial contracts with suppliers, working with Legal and other relevant stakeholders where required.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and act as a trusted Procurement partner, challenging requirements where appropriate and identifying opportunities to improve cost, processes and commercial outcomes.
- Conduct value chain analysis, demand management and value engineering activities to deliver productivity improvements, cost efficiencies and sustainable savings.
- Proactively identify procurement risks and opportunities and drive appropriate actions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Manage supplier relationships, including supplier performance, commercial reviews, contract compliance and continuous improvement.
- Manage tail spend to improve spend visibility, supplier consolidation, compliance and purchasing efficiency.
- Support the Direct Procurement team as needed to ensure overall procurement effectiveness across NEA.
- Travel may be required.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Native-level Japanese and business-level English proficiency.
- Strong experience in Indirect Procurement, with the ability to independently manage multiple Indirect categories and sourcing projects with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to manage the full end-to-end procurement process, including requirement definition, sourcing strategy development, RFP/RFQ, cost analysis, supplier selection, commercial negotiation, contracting, implementation and supplier relationship management.
- Proven experience in developing, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts with suppliers, working with Legal and other relevant stakeholders where required.
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, with intermediate or advanced proficiency in Excel.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to independently lead commercial discussions with suppliers.
- Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and constructively challenge internal stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, categories and priorities simultaneously and drive them through to completion.
- Self-driven and capable of taking ownership from identification of an opportunity through implementation and delivery of results.
- Highly resilient, with excellent time and priority management skills.
- Experience working with regional and/or global Procurement teams and stakeholders is preferred.
- Solid experience in Indirect Procurement in a manufacturing or industrial environment; FMCG or food manufacturing experience is highly advantageous.
- Experience in Logistics Procurement is advantageous.
Location(s)
Tokyo Office
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.
