Buyer Specialist

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth. Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere! We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!? The Buyer is responsible for securing an optimized and stable SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) to the manufacturing sites while maintaining a strong link and alignment with the other members of the site Procurement Team and Regional Category management. SRM includes, but not limited to: RFx, Sourcing, Contracts, On-Boarding, KPI's, Pricing. This person will provide supporting tasks and activities to the entire Source-to-Contract (S2C) area in alignment with business needs and expectations. They will lead and develop processes and procedures, suggest methods to update, simplify, and enhance site procurement processes, procedures, and technologies in alignment with Procurement Hub Manager. This individual will continuously seek opportunities to optimize the total cost of ownership (TCO) to achieve the cost reduction objective for the P&L while working closely with key stakeholders at the site and support the implementation of the regional category strategies. This position is also responsible for cost efficiency: implementing strategies for the scope assigned to optimize procurement expenditure, such as identifying cost-effective sources and negotiating favorable terms. They will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to meet the needs of the Strategic Vision and requirements of the facility or business and support finding the best supplier: identifying and maintaining relationships with suppliers who can provide the best value in terms of quality, price, and reliability. Main Responsibilities MASTER DATA SUPPORTActively monitor supplier base and mitigate third-party riskActively support pricing accuracy PRICE AND CONDITION MANAGEMENTSecure and monitor contract compliance for site specific raw materials, packaging, and indirect categories.Responsible for supplier selection and negotiating site-specific contracts aligned with external spending policy for areas outside the scope of Regional Category ManagersAchieve Procurement targets established in the annual plan such as: cost savings, supplier lead time, compliance rate, supplier performance.Ensuring proper information/documentation for annual blanket purchase orders, such as but not limited to quotes, contracts, rate cards, insuranceActively participate in local STT (spend transparency team) meetings P2P ADMINApprove indirect POs above 5k€ in the systemOn-board new suppliers through approved process (challenging and validating a new supplier is needed)Collaborate with Finance to resolve discrepanciesCollaborate with Finance to manage Supplier DPO (Days Payable Outstanding) on a quarterly basis, along with implementing process improvements where DPO is not reflective of payment terms (where applicable) PROCESSES SUPPORTProvide assurance for contracts execution.Maintain database of supplier evaluations, contracts, pricing agreements and claims per global policyLead and develop procurement operations, processes, and procedures within the site to secure good quality sustainable supplyEngage and motivate internal stakeholders to operate according to procurement policies, processes, and proceduresAct as a procurement ambassador and actively contribute to the development of the procurement capabilities and skills in the siteManage ISO audits and internal audits for Indirect categoryManage supplier consignment audits (where applicable)Utilize approved tools to track cost savings, cost avoidance and opportunitiesGenerate performance metrics, as requiredBack-up support for plant(s) Sourcing Specialist, Buyer/Planner, Tactical Buyer, as needed PROCUREMENT STRATEGY SUPPORTIdentify and drive site cost reduction opportunities together with different stakeholders and in alignment with regional category strategiesCollaborate with the site to align the spending with the designated suppliers for Indirect category.Support Category Strategy implementation in the region and together with Purchasing Specialists to maintain all relevant supplier documentation in the systems. PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONManage supplier claims as well as supplier evaluations of the plant according to Ahlstrom tools and procedures.Give feedback and supporting documentation on supplier performance and contract compliance to the category managers regularly.Provide spend analysis and benchmarking for local suppliers INTERNAL STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENTGather and understand the business requirements of the site and communicate them within the procurement organization (Category managers)Be the main interface and first point of escalation to the site management; Act as the main point of contact for site Management and participate in site management meetings. Work with the regional Indirect team to align priorities and activities for the sites.Help drive standardization in products, services, and processesBuild trust, engage and motivate internal stakeholders, to operate according to procurement policies, processes, and procedures, through visits to the assigned plants. SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPManage indirect categories of supplier claims directly with the supplier with alignment from Regional Category Managers PROJECTSLead site related projects in alignment with the category strategies and CAPEX instructions and facilitate requests for quotations.Support and implement best practice in sourcing Capex investmentsMin 5 years of experience in ProcurementPossess a Bachelor's degreeProven experience in supplier relationship managementSkilled in commercial and contracts negotiationsProven experience in driving and executing tasks and activities in S2PExperience in Procurement Services is strongly recommendedExperience in SAP (P2P) or site-specific equivalent systemSAP and JDE skills are a plus.Willingness to travel (drive/or fly) to supplier meetings, sites and team meetings.Valid driving license Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. About Us. Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com. Ahlstrom's manufacturing and hygiene processes, procedures and policies, must be adhered to, as applicable, to the position's areas of responsibility, in order to meet and maintain the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements for each grade of paper.