Category Buyer

Job description

Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program. The Purchasing & Supply Chain Excellence function ensures Solvay has a sustainable competitive advantage by purchasing products and services through global networks at the best global market conditions.

Job Overview and Responsibilities:

Solvay Chemical, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals and polymers, is looking for a Category Buyer (CB) in the Santo Andre plant.  Category Buyer will have category responsibility and accountability for certain designated categories of spend for goods and services at Solvay manufacturing plants.  Category assignments will be made based on spend, individual experience and skills and may include multiple sites in the zone.  As part of central procurement team, CB will align with strategic procurement managers, global counterparts and Global Business Units, recommend and define category strategies.  CB will define/develop strategies for LA region, working collaboratively with internal customers to achieve savings and TCO value optimization.  CB is responsible for ongoing supplier management and contract ownership, including identification of cost savings opportunities and submission of performance metrics.  CB is responsible for vendor performance and qualification of vendors including adherence to Corporate Social Responsibilities and Sustainability.

Activities:

·  Identify strategy relevant for region and category or site specific
·  Perform market research for Category
·  Monitor suppliers spend, cost, performance, contract and TCO
·  Coordinate strategies with Procurement Managers and Global Buyers
·  Develop, implement and report cost improvements and performance metrics 
·  Work with cross functional teams to implement and manage category strategies
·  Obtain stakeholder approvals prior to initiation of category strategies
·  Manage multiple suppliers for long term relationship and performance improvement
·  Work with legal to develop and execute contracts related to managed categories
·  Effective communication to all stakeholders of all contract related or market related changes
·  Ensure compliance with purchasing policies and ethical practices and local laws and regulations
·  Meeting audit requirements for ISO 9001 and various internal audits
·  Travel up to 30%

Education and Experience:

·  BS in Engineering (preferred) or in Business or Supply Chain or related field
·  Experience in Purchasing area

Skills:

·  Fluent in English
·  Chemical Plant experience
·  Knowledge of procurement systems, ability to analyze market trends and forecasting
·  Proficient in MS Office, MS Project
·  Ability for work in matrix and cross functional team in positive collaborative manner
·  Strong negotiation and contract Skills, strong analytical quantitative and problem solving skills
·  Must be able to adapt to fast moving environment and changing priorities
·  Excellent communication skills
·  Person should have ability and maturity to work in a collaborative and proactive way in a Multi Customer (BU, BSA, site) and dynamic environment.
·  SAP Knowledge is a plus
·  Spanish knowledge is a plus

Additional Information

Talent Acquision HR:  Nicolle Lima