Category Buyer

ELANTAS North America Inc. is seeking a Category Buyer to manage the procurement activities for assigned materials. This role involves developing sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, analyzing market trends, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure optimal supplier performance and cost efficiency. The Category Buyer II plays a key role in driving value through strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management. This role is based on-site in St. Louis, MO and requires some travel to other US facilities.

Key Traits for Cost Savings Focused Role:

• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of driving down costs.
• Analytical mindset to identify savings opportunities through data.
• Assertiveness and persistence in supplier management and contract negotiations.
• Experience with strategic sourcing and vendor performance management.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and pushing for better terms.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories in alignment with company goals.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships to support cost reductions, quality improvements, on time delivery and innovation.
• Analyze spend data, negotiate favorable terms, and lead cost management initiatives.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive continuous process improvements.
• Manage the full source-to-contract process for assigned categories.
• Assess and mitigate supply risks within the scope of responsibility.
• Utilize MRP systems to procure materials at optimal cost while meeting operational requirements.
• Review purchase requisitions for completeness, obtain competitive bids, evaluate quotations, and award contracts based on quality, price, and delivery capabilities.
• Coordinate resolution of rejected materials, initiate corrective actions with suppliers, and collaborate with Finance to ensure proper credit is received.
• Recommend cost-saving opportunities through alternative sourcing, substitutions, or new product introductions.
• Identify and source new materials based on specific technical requirements.
• Expedite orders and provide lead-time updates to relevant departments.
• Collaborate with receiving personnel to resolve delivery discrepancies.
• Support product valuation processes including transfer pricing and reconciliation.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, or a related technical field.
• 5-10 years of buying commodities or specialty chemical purchasing experience.
• Experience in strategic procurement in international markets.
• Skilled in SAP and Microsoft Office preferred
• Experience working with diverse teams.
• Familiarity with global trade agreements is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of driving down costs.
• Analytical mindset to identify savings opportunities through data.
• Assertiveness and persistence in supplier management and contract negotiations.
• Experience with strategic sourcing and vendor performance management.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and pushing for better terms.
• Upholds high ethical standards.
• Handles all shipping and documentation tasks associated with all incoming/outgoing orders.
• Leads effectively in constant change.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk; reach, lift, push, pull and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Other abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

Work Environment:

• On-site 5 days a week.
• This position will operate in a chemical manufacturing environment, however primarily in an office setting.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Number of years of experience in strategic procurement in international markets?
• Number of years of buying commodities or specialty chemical purchasing experience?

Work Location: In person