Senior Buyer Indirect

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we've grown into the world's leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people across the globe.

We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it's not just food — we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.

Everything we do is about Making Better Happen.

This position is based in Malmö or Karlshamn (Sweden).

About The Role

As Senior Buyer for our in-direct spend you will in close co-operation with all relevant stakeholders be responsible for executing sourcing project within in-direct categories e.g. MRO, Facility management, Professional Services and IT. Further you will identify potential sourcing initiatives with the overall purpose to reduce our risk and overall costs by simplification, harmonization, standardization, volume bundling, smarter procurement and digitalization. As the senior buyer you are the driving force in creating the value optimization identified.

The senior buyer shall secure alignment cross all functions involved and provide overview and clarity enabling all to stay informed and fell engaged. The ultimate goal: Harmonized/standardized in-direct categories delivering value to the business in form of lower costs, risk mitigation and better quality/service.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a dynamic Senior Buyer to join our team, where you will play a key role in driving procurement excellence. In this strategic position, you will:

• Lead spend analyses and risk assessments within cross-functional teams across various indirect categories, identifying opportunities for cost optimization.
• Develop and manage a robust supplier base to ensure the delivery of high-quality services/products that meet our business units' needs, while maintaining top-notch delivery performance.
• Negotiate contracts, secure improved prices, and establish favorable terms with suppliers, utilizing best-in-class negotiation and procurement techniques to drive business savings.
• Lead and collaborate on Requests for Proposals (RFPs), bid evaluations, and other analytical processes, providing transparency on cost drivers and aligning with internal stakeholders.
• Manage and nurture strategic supplier relationships, continuously reviewing performance in partnership with internal teams to ensure value delivery.
• Engage and collaborate with internal stakeholders, including senior management, to support alignment with business objectives and procurement strategies.
• Maintain and optimize procurement systems, including supplier approvals, contract management, and ERP systems, ensuring operational efficiency.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by developing strategies to enhance operational performance, add value, and support business growth.
• Collaborate with Category Managers to create and implement strategies that meet local and organizational needs for indirect categories.
• Share knowledge and best practices with procurement colleagues, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence across the team.

About You

We are looking for a Senior Buyer who thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and delivering exceptional value to the business. Your ability to manage supplier relationships, make strategic decisions, and innovate will be key to your success in this role. Here's what we're looking for:

• Strong Procurement Background: You have a solid procurement foundation and are accustomed to managing multiple sourcing projects simultaneously, ensuring seamless execution and delivery.
• Analytical Skills: You have a strong Excel background and are proficient in using other analytical tools. You apply your theoretical knowledge, experience, and skills to real-world scenarios, effectively analyzing data to support value-driven decision-making.
• Process Expertise: You have a clear understanding of procurement processes and methods, with the ability to derive and deliver the necessary data and insights to support a value-adding approach to procurement categories.
• Stakeholder Management: You excel at managing relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, communicating effectively and ensuring alignment with procurement goals.
• Supplier Selection & Evaluation: You are well-versed in supplier selection and evaluation standards, using appropriate tools and documentation to assess, select, and certify suppliers and partners.
• Contract Management Knowledge: You have a deep understanding of policies, standards, and processes related to managing and administering contracts, and you are adept at using these practices for a wide variety of contractual agreements.
• Project Management: You possess a high capability to enhance the development, implementation, and follow-up of sourcing projects, ensuring successful delivery from start to finish.
• Tendering & Negotiation Expertise: You are skilled in setting up and executing tenders, negotiating terms, and securing the best outcomes for the business.
• Procurement Knowledge: You have a deep understanding of company practices for procuring products and services needed to support business operations, applying your expertise in day-to-day procurement activities.
• Procurement Systems Expertise: You are knowledgeable about procurement systems, using them effectively to manage and optimize the procurement process. You can develop and implement tools, techniques, and practices for a specific procurement application.
• Purchasing Policies & Procedures: You have a strong grasp of procurement policies, regulations, and processes, particularly within the indirect procurement space, and you are able to apply these practices in your work.

Additionally, you are:

• Improvement-Focused: You are driven by customer satisfaction and quality, setting high standards and ensuring systematic, methodical execution of project goals. You always strive to exceed expectations in quality and productivity.
• Initiative: You are proactive in making decisions, even when faced with tough choices or risks. You take full responsibility for your actions, projects, and teams, always looking for ways to improve processes and outcomes.
• Innovation: You challenge the status quo, seeking new, value-adding ways to improve processes, products, and services. Your innovative approach drives change within the organization.
• Teamwork: You excel at building relationships across all levels, managing conflict effectively, and working collaboratively with colleagues to share knowledge and ideas that contribute to success.

Sense of Urgency: You are results-driven, able to set clear objectives, plan effectively, and adapt to changing circumstances. You are skilled in managing time and resources to meet deadlines.

In return AAK offers

• Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability.
• In AAK you can work across 25+ countries, gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
• AAK invests in your development with training, mentorship, and clear career paths.
• You will contribute to a greener world with AAK's sustainability-focused approach.
• Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual's perspective and talents.

Contact and information

Please apply through our career portal. For further information about the position, please contact Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist Valerija Usova: valerija.usova@aak.com

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK's offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate and confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or employment and application for employment.
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