Operational Buyer

About this opportunity:

We are looking for an Operational Buyer to manage a Co-Formulant portfolio (of sub-categories like surfactants, solvents, biocides, etc.) including Global and Regional suppliers. This role will manage Spend between $10 to 20 million & ensure supply security and quality of Co-Formulants at a competitive price for Syngenta. You will be required to lead interactions with regional stakeholders, representing procurement to adjacent functions in P&S and R&D. Part of this role is to lead one or more continuous improvement projects with the aim of simplification and efficiency gains while also supporting supply chain setup, master data maintenance and Procure-to-Pay process. You will lead or be a key member of multi-functional teams (Formulation Development, Regulatory, Supply Chains) involved in the review of existing Co-Formulants and introduction of new Co-Formulants while supporting the global team with operational activities of their global portfolio. It is important to ensure delivery of Year-on-Year savings across the portfolio while being accountable for leading projects.

You will be accountable for:

• Meeting goals related to risk management, cost reduction, security of supply, and sustainability
• Analysis of spend and detailed understanding of the supply market(s), develop and deliver regional or global sourcing strategies achieving the agreement and support of key stakeholders (to include supply risk management considerations)
• Maintaining master data in SAP with updated pricing and make sure invoices are paid on time.
• Developing, supporting and, where appropriate, leading multifunctional sourcing teams and projects to achieve contracts, orders or agreements that are aligned with the sourcing strategies and hence deliver substantial savings agreed with line management and stakeholders
• Developing and managing relationships as appropriate with key suppliers including leading product negotiations
• Developing, maintaining and monitoring common, efficient and ethical purchasing processes

Critical Success Factors & Key Challenges:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of all relevant supply markets, including portfolio knowledge, category knowledge, supplier capabilities, and risks.
• Ability to develop & implement continuous improvement plans in collaboration with suppliers.
• Ability to handle detailed information, analyse and extract critical issues.
• Excellent communication skills in order to interface with suppliers and internal customers.
• Team player- ability to work effectively in cross-functional and cross-cultural teams to deliver strategic and operational goals.

Critical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the chemical supply markets
• Understanding of procurement best practices
• Excellent understanding of supply chain operations
• Very good capabilities in the use of procurement processes /tools (SAP)
• Ability to use latest digital tools and techniques in Sourcing / Supply Chain area
• Chemistry background preferred

Critical experiences:

• Procurement/ Supply Chain experience
• Degree in chemistry or chemical engineering preferred
• Experience of working in chemicals procurement is a plus
• Project team leadership (cross-functional with proven results)
• Negotiation and contracting with suppliers

Additional Information:

Whilst this role offers a competitive base pay, at Syngenta we value total reward which includes the benefits we offer to our employees. We support well-being, offering comprehensive benefits including flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, discretionary bonus scheme, competitive pension scheme, private medical insurance & an employee assistance programme.

In return for your skills and knowledge Syngenta will offer:

• Competitive benefits package
• Up to 31.5 days holiday
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees

• A Multi-country / multi-cultural matrix environment

We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

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As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food is available for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs. Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting.  From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.