Indirect Procurement Buyer

Job Summary

As an Indirect Procurement Buyer, you will play a vital role in securing the goods and services necessary to drive operational success. You will strategically partner with suppliers who meet our standards for cost efficiency, quality, and reliable delivery, managing the procurement of critical resources and capital investment to plant operations. By collaborating with internal teams and external partners, you’ll ensure smooth execution and on-time results. In this role, you will also help modernize our operations to enhance productivity and growth, champion environmental leadership, and contribute to transforming our supply chain into a more efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive network of high-level services. With a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement, you’ll uphold corporate standards while cultivating strong supplier relationships that enhance organizational performance and strengthen the company’s reputation.

Key duties/responsibilities:

Procurement Operations:

• Create and expedite purchase orders for products and services essential for operations, including maintenance, repairs, production supplies, uniforms, spare parts, capital equipment, and more—all while adhering to company guidelines (e.g., KORE, SPP).
• Manage procurement requisitions and purchase orders in SAP, ensuring proper declarations and customs compliance using platforms such as SURI.

Inventory and Material Planning:

• Analyze and interpret inventory requests, MRP (Material Requirements Planning) reports to plan and execute replenishment for spare parts needs.
• Ensure inventory levels consistently align with established maintenance requirements to avoid downtime or overstocking.

Supplier Management and Negotiation:

• Evaluate suppliers, perform and analyze the bidding process, and negotiate favorable contracts that optimize price, quality, and service terms.
• Oversee supplier performance and compliance, ensuring alignment with company standards and fostering strategic vendor relationships.
• Actively participate in the onboarding, activation, and maintenance of vendor data in company platforms.

Capital Projects and Financial Oversight:

• Support the procurement needs of capital and non-project initiatives by attending planning/financial meetings, expediting purchase orders, and ensuring budget alignment.
• Manage long-term negotiations and contracts for material/services with stakeholders while aligning purchases with financial objectives and compliance requirements.

Sustainability and Innovation Focus:

• Promote the use of recycled or recyclable materials at competitive prices without compromising quality or service.
• Drive sustainable sourcing practices that align with corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation:

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with corporate policies, tax exemptions, safety regulations, and audit readiness requirements.
• Monitor and resolve purchase order discrepancies, invoice issues, and supplier claims to minimize operational disruptions while safeguarding company interests.
• Collaborates with Corporate Legal, internal requestors, and vendors to formalize contracts and Statements of Work (SOWs), ensuring the reliable supply of goods and services while mitigating risks and minimizing business exposure.

Logistics and Delivery Coordination:

• Confirm incoterms and negotiate delivery and payment terms with suppliers, carriers, and forwarders.
• Proactively monitor and expedite deliveries to meet lead times, addressing delays or issues immediately.

Training and Knowledge Sharing:

• Train and mentor team members, new hires, and contractors on procurement policies, SAP usage, and best practices.
• Support continuous learning initiatives within the procurement team to drive operational excellence.

Data and Reporting:

• Generate and analyze procurement reports, including open orders, GRIR (Goods Receipt/Invoice Receipt), spend analysis, and performance tracking, ensuring visibility and accountability for KPIs.
• Reports all non-conformances, deviations, and concerns to implement corrective actions and avoid reoccurrence. Identifies preventive actions to avoid nonconformity’s related to product, processes, and quality.

Continuous Improvement:

• Collaborate with the OE (Operational Excellence) team on initiatives such as 5S, Corporate Audits, Communication Centers and Idea Platforms to drive continuous improvements.
• Identify and implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality, process, or supplier-related non-conformances.

Support for Global Operations:

• Provide regional and global procurement support across other Coca-Cola plants, ensuring consistency in practices, efficiency, and alignment with business objectives.
• Actively engages in the development and revision of purchasing procedures, work instructions, and controlled documents to ensure alignment and compliance with KORE and CAD requirements.

Responsibilities and Organization Impact/Influence

• Travel: Up to 10% of regional travel to support procurement operations and supplier engagement at other plants.

Job Requirements/Qualifications

Type of previous work experience required:

Professional procurement experience, specifically in:

• Indirect Procurement / Supply Chain Management
• Capital Expenditure Procurement (CAPEX)
• Vendor Management and Sourcing Strategies
• Negotiations and Contract Management

Number of years of previous work experience required:  4-7+ years

• Cost optimization
• Fair Bidding Process
• S4H Systems
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Compliance Management
• Risk Mitigation
• Supplier Performance

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Materials, Business Administration, Finance Business related areas.
• Procurement or supply chain certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPIM) and/or Project Management Certification (PMP) are considered a plus.

Languages

• Fluent in English and Spanish with advanced written and verbal communication skills to ensure cross-functional collaboration and smooth supplier relationships.

Technical skills and certification

• Advanced proficiency and hands-on experience with SAP S4 for procurement and supply chain management.
• Collaborative and Self-Reliant Professional: Demonstrates exceptional teamwork capabilities while effectively operating independently with minimal supervision, maintaining accountability and delivering results.
• Project Management: Utilizes a thorough understanding of project management principles to drive procurement activities and achieve strategic objectives within defined timelines.
• Proactive and Results-Oriented Mindset: A highly motivated self-starter with a solutions-driven approach, consistently taking ownership to achieve measurable outcomes and exceed expectations.
• Resilient and Agile Performer: Excels in high-pressure, dynamic environments, effectively managing tight deadlines with adaptability and a commitment to operational excellence.
• In-Depth Manufacturing Knowledge: Possesses robust expertise in manufacturing processes and business requirements to ensure procurement strategies align seamlessly with operational goals.
• Customer-Focused Strategist: Proven ability to develop impactful solutions and provide exceptional service in roles heavily focused on customer satisfaction and result-driven deliverables.
• Bilingual and Cross-Cultural Communicator: Fluent professional proficiency in both Spanish and English, capable of bridging cross-cultural teams with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organized and Collaborative Planner: Skilled in strategic planning, task organization, and working collaboratively with diverse, cross-functional teams to meet objectives while prioritizing customer-focused outcomes.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Expertise: Employs strong analytical abilities to anticipate, identify, and resolve challenges with effective, data-driven solutions.
• Represents the plant in external activities with professionalism and respect, participating in initiatives aligned with the procurement strategy, including meetings, training sessions, and role-specific engagements.