Service Center Associate Buyer

Responsible for the entire buy process to include preparing, negotiating, managing and coordinating agreements supporting the procurement of various materials and/or services. Serve as the buyer of record with execution authority for agreements categorized in alignment with Differential Management Efficiency and/or Essential Buy Quadrants. Focus is on transactional efficiency and assurance of supply in a way that minimizes Sourcing effort and frees up time. Buy in the essential quadrant may require some risk mitigation to assure supply. Efficiency Buyers may also assist in larger purchases with other Buyers, Sr. Buyers, and/or Executive Buyers. This role is responsible for non-transactional work related to the buy in the essential and efficiency quadrants. Support for transactional work will be provided by the service centers.

Tasks & Responsibilities
- Leads evaluation and selection of suppliers in terms of quality, service, cost and capability.
- Analyzes business requirements and identifies reliable suppliers to meet business requirements.
- Participates in the development of sourcing strategies.
- Looks for productivity gains, which may include working with Improvement Leaders and Service Center personnel.
- Looks for alternative sources, through individual research, and working with other Buyers, Sr. Buyers, and Executive Buyers.
- Oversees contract implementation and supplier performance/interaction; involved with resolving operational issues.
- Documents issues for quality, service, safety and supply (into the Sourcing quality data bases) and resolves issues with suppliers.
- Identifies and drives continuous improvement.
- Oversees contract implementation and supplier performance and interaction.
- Participates on Core Strategy Teams for materials and services in the Efficiency and/or Essential Quadrants.
- Negotiates and delivers savings to meet business requirements and S&L objectives.
- Understands market dynamics, labor rates/market rates, etc. that may impact buy.
- Uses Auction Tools, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs and/or sealed bids.
- Creates leveraged agreements as appropriate.
- Calculates and reports accomplishments in all appropriate systems.

**Job Requirements**:
**Qualifications**:
Education/Experience
- A graduation with preferred focus on procurement, and/or equivalent work experience preferred
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification (or certification must be obtained within the first 12-24 months) preferred
- Sourcing work experience preferred
- Commodity knowledge preferred

Skills Requirements
- Commitment to the IFF Core Values: Safety & Health, Environmental Stewardship, Respect for People and Highest Ethical Behavior.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, embraces and adapts to change, flexible and has a positive attitude.
- Able to work with cross function teams
- Analytical skills are required to interpret data and develop savings/improvement opportunities.
- Ready to Work any Shift

Key Core Competencies
- Communicating with Impact - Expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a clear, succinct, and compelling manner in both individual and group situations; adjusting language to capture the attention of the audience.
- Analysis and Judgment - Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
- Engagement - Demonstrating a willingness to actively commit to one’s work and to invest one’s time, talent, and best efforts to accomplish organizational goals.
- Managing for Productivity - Establishing courses of action for self to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
- Teamwork/Collaboration: Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.

Key S&L Functional Competencies (preferred)
- Negotiation Skills - Persuades suppliers and clients to reach mutually beneficial agreements and influences important outcomes.
- S&L Processes/Systems - Applies S&L functional processes (e.g., BRRP) and system technologies (e.g., SRM,e-Contracts,e-Catalogues SAP) to develop and execute competitive sourcing solutions that accelerate delivery for maximum business results.