Direct Category Buyer NORAM

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients.

Want to help us make a difference?
Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients.
Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles.

The Role:

We are looking for our next Direct Category Buyer NORAM. This role will report to the Americas Category Leader for Direct Purchasing, the Category Buyer will work collaboratively with the Global Category Management team to drive the purchasing strategy for chemicals and packaging materials used at Roquette's USA and Canadian facilities.

Products in the Category Buyer's spend portfolio would include various processing aids (i.e. acids, bases, catalysts, enzymes, etc.) purchased in rail, bulk truck, and packaged quantities. Also in scope would be a diverse range of pallets, FIBC bags, drums, paper valve sacks, etc. used to package Roquette's finished product.

Actively engaging with cross-functional teams (Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Global Category Management, Process Engineering, etc.) the Direct Category Buyer strives to achieve the best value for money in all aspects of buying and procurement of chemicals and packaging materials, ensuring compliance with Global Purchasing Directives and alignment with Global agreements where applicable. The Category Buyer will act as the subject matter expert for Purchasing in their designated commodity portfolio.

The position will support and drive strategic sourcing activities for the North America region, mitigating business risk through proper qualification of chemical and packaging suppliers / products, and lead negotiations on pricing and payment terms.

This position is preferred to be in Keokuk, IA.

Compensation:

The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $88,065 - $119,200. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance-based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

What We Offer:

• A highly collaborative team environment with ample room for exponential career growth.
• Competitive pay, annual performance bonus, comprehensive benefits, 6.2% company retirement contribution, and professional development opportunities.
• Generous paid time off and 12 annual paid company holidays.
• 12 weeks 100% paid maternity leave, and up to 4 weeks 100% paid parental leave (including adoption/surrogacy/foster care leave) for non-birthing parents.
• Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement program for select roles.
• Annual wellness benefit and wellness centered programs focused on your health needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Industrial Purchasing in support of Direct Category initiatives, providing a solid purchasing strategy that demonstrates close coordination between internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Implementation of Global Purchasing directives, policies, and procedures in alignment with Category Management policies and guidelines when performing purchasing activities.
• Establishing and maintaining effective business relationships with vendors, suppliers, and trade professionals, including regularly reviewing KPI's.
• Establish and maintain effective communication and coordination with other individual contributors, as well as local and Global purchasing management.
• Proactively identify areas of business risk exposure (i.e. supply disruption, quality, or regulatory risk, economic risk).
• Cultivation of "pharma culture" mindset with suppliers and business partners.
• Ensure proper qualification of new suppliers and that established quality / regulatory requirements are being respected.

What You'll Do:

• Supporting manufacturing and operational teams in defining purchase requirements
• Reviewing purchase requisitions for completeness and accuracy (specifications, source, price, etc.)
• Revising, updating, and issuing Purchase Orders in collaboration with other members of Local and Global purchasing organization(s)
• Monitoring lead times ensuring timely delivery of materials
• Supporting and advancing key purchasing initiatives aimed at delivering cost savings and improving the overall competitiveness of the operation
• Actively and proactively reviewing historical spend and other benchmarking data to ensure competitive pricing on goods and services purchased
• Acting as a key business partner to resolve price, quality, delivery and invoice issues
• Negotiate pricing, delivery/shipping costs, credit terms and discounts
• Actively seeking to work within negotiated Global agreements where possible
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers both domestic and international
• Proactively engage in sourcing activities to qualify new suppliers as business needs arise
• Perform comparative analysis of commercial offers and provide data-driven basis for supplier selection / bid award
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements and provide direction on requisitioning and purchasing
• Initiating, reviewing, and finalizing Framework Supply Agreement

What You'll Need:

Education:

• BA/BS in Supply Chain; MBA preferred

Experience:

• 5 years in chemical /wet milling industry or similar industry
• Ability to build and maintain relationships
• Supplier and Stakeholder Management experience
• Adaptable to change
• Experience working in a multinational corporation; partnering with colleagues overseas
• Ability to be a quick learner in a fast-paced environment
• Great communicator with a positive attitude
• Self-starter; Go getter
• Problem-solving mindset
• SAP experience
• Knowledgeable with purchasing processes and best practices
• Basic finance and accounting principles
• MS Office experience

If you identify yourself in this position, please apply byuploading your resume and let's start the journey together!

Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences.

Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws.

As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach.

To find out more about our products, values and sustainable development ambitions visit us at www.roquette.com and at www.sustainability.roquette.com