Operational Buyer - Indirect Procurement

ROLE OVERVIEW The Operational Buyer will support indirect and CAPEX procurement activities across multiple business areas, ensuring third-party spend is routed through approved purchasing channels and internal review processes. The role will manage purchase requisitions, sourcing activities, purchase orders, supplier performance and operational procurement issues while partnering closely with requisitioners, Finance, Quality and procurement stakeholders. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and validate purchase requisitions for indirect goods, services and CAPEX requirements across supported sites or business functions.
• Manage competitive bidding activities in accordance with applicable procurement policies, including three-bid processes and RFx market interventions.
• Convert approved requirements into purchase orders and direct spend to preferred or contracted suppliers wherever appropriate.
• Ensure contracts, purchase orders, supplier information and supporting records are complete, accurate and processed through approved buying channels.
• Monitor order status and coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to support the timely delivery of goods and services.
• Manage supplier non-conformances, rejections and returns in collaboration with Quality Assurance, Quality Control and business stakeholders.
• Track supplier performance and escalate material issues to Strategic Buyers or Category Managers for resolution.
• Partner with Accounts Payable and Procure-to-Pay teams to resolve invoice discrepancies, payment enquiries and goods-receipt/invoice-receipt issues.
• Promote the use of e-catalogues, SAP Ariba and other approved digital buying channels to improve compliance and process automation.
• Maintain procurement data accurately and support improvements that strengthen data integrity, purchasing efficiency and governance.
• Support low-value negotiations and engage suppliers to achieve appropriate commercial, service and delivery outcomes.
• Comply with applicable GMP, quality, safety and site procedures, and promptly escalate significant compliance or supply concerns.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience in operational procurement or purchasing of indirect goods, services and CAPEX within a structured or regulated environment.
• Practical knowledge of the purchase-requisition-to-purchase-order process and competitive sourcing activities.
• Hands-on experience using SAP ERP and SAP Ariba within a purchasing or procurement role.
• Experience managing suppliers, resolving purchasing issues and conducting low-value commercial negotiations.
• Good understanding of business practices, procurement controls, data integrity and purchasing compliance.
• Strong customer-service mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across Procurement, Finance, Quality and internal business teams.
• Clear written and verbal English communication skills, with confidence influencing suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn new systems and processes