Job Description « Senior buyer Indirect Spend »
About the Role:
Line Manager : Purchasing Manager Indirect Spend
Location : Douala
No of positions : 01
Type of contract : Full Time
The “Senior Buyer Indirect Spend” manages procurement for all technical, non-technical, and service spend portfolio of categories assigned, including Capex, MRO, energy, facility management, lab consumables/services/equipment, and general administrative spend. This role is part of the local plant’s Purchasing Department and the global Purchasing Organization.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic sourcing
- Analyze spend data and budgets to define appropriate sourcing strategies.
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Create action plans to reduce category costs.
- Spot buys
- Contracts management
- Conduct contract review and submit appropriate action plan
- Execute approved contract action plan
- Stakeholder management
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment between business needs and purchasing goals.
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, and cost efficiency.
- Maintain documentation and conduct supplier performance reviews.
- Reporting
- Generate regular and ad-hoc reports.
- Compliance
- Ensure compliance with group purchasing processes.
- Ensure compliance and proper housekeeping of purchasing activities.
About You:
Required academic & technical qualifications
- Bachelor degree / Master degree in a technical field, supply chain management, procurement, business administration, economics
- a procurement professional certification is a strong asset
Essential experience & knowledge
- Strong IT Proficiency; knowledge of SAP and Maximo
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- 5–10 years in indirect spend purchasing, preferably in food, pharmaceutical, or chemical industries.
Technical/Functional Competencies
- Technical proficiency (e.g., SAP – Excel, PowerPoint)
- English business proficiency (written and spoken)
Interpersonal / Leadership Competencies
- A seasoned procurement professional with a strong background in managing indirect spend across diverse categories.
- Demonstrates strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers in a multicultural and dynamic environment
- Autonomous, proactive, and results-driven, with a solid understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and supplier performance monitoring. His interpersonal skills and ability to adapt to change make him a key contributor to transformation initiatives within the purchasing function.
- The candidate must be comfortable working in a matrix organization, collaborating with local and global teams, and navigating complex stakeholder environments. A strong sense of ethics, responsiveness, and commitment to continuous improvement are essential to succeed in this role
Personal style / attitude / motivation
- Entrepreneurship
- Autonomy
- Negotiation Skills
- Change Management
- Adaptability
- Analytical Skills
- Communication
- Stakeholder Management
- Passionate and Enthusiastic
- Motivated and Hardworking
- Good Stress Resilience
- Respect for Deadlines
- Adaptability and Tenacity
- Integrity, Teamwork
- Results-Oriented
- Responsiveness
- Interpersonal Skills and Ability to Listen to Needs
- Proactive and Creative
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