Senior Buyer

​Requisition ID: 59598 
Position Type: (US)Full Time 
Workplace Arrangement:  #LI-Hybrid 

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Where will you work?

Our Beloit, WI location is home to our Corporate Headquarters for the North American Region. This location has approximately 700 employees in roles such as regulatory, RD&A, finance, procurement, supply chain and customer care. It is easily commutable from the Rockford, Madison, and Milwaukee areas. You'll enjoy your time inside and outside of the office as we offer a full cafeteria, fitness center, and beautiful walking paths around the campus. This location is also involved and committed to giving back to the community throughout the year with our Kerry Employee Engagement Program.

What will you do?

Main Objective

The senior buyer develops and implements strategic sourcing activities within low complexity categories (herbs, spices and vegetables), ensuring long-term supply continuity, cost optimization, and strong supplier and stakeholder relationships.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing strategies for categories with an annual spend of approximately +$100 million, considering scale, risk, pricing complexity, and supplier diversity.
• Develop and execute sourcing and tendering strategies for highly complex categories, ensuring alignment with business objectives and sustainability goals.
• Build deep raw material and industry expertise, particularly in upstream commodities, acting as a trusted advisor to stakeholders.
• Identify and implement a constant pipeline of $2M USD in cost reductions and avoidance, aligned with category strategies and business objectives.
• Drive margin management, pricing support, and governance to meet financial targets.
• Launch cross-functional cost improvement initiatives to reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and deliver PIP (Profit Improvement Program) savings.
• Contribute to transforming sustainability from a cost center to a profit center by embedding sustainability into sourcing strategies.
• Ensure supplier compliance with standards (e.g., SEDEX, insurance, quality) and support innovation and sustainability KPIs.
• Oversee procurement from intent to delivery, ensuring continuity of raw material supply and contract compliance.
• Manage supplier risk (price, quality, supply) and working capital through standardized payment terms and supplier benchmarking.
• Utilize e-tendering tools and contract management systems to drive transparency and efficiency.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with RD&A, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and other key functions.
• Serve as a strategic partner to internal stakeholders and a relationship leader to external suppliers.
• Represent Procurement as a value creator across the organization.

What will you need to be successful?

• Bachelor’s degree required in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing experience within the food industry. Experience with categories like herbs, spices and/or vegetables is a plus.
• Strong communication skills, able to get buy-in and commitment from stakeholders and being able to working in a dual reporting matrix and virtual teams.
• Ability to comply with existing/quickly adapt to new processes.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent computer skills and experience using SAP.
• Availability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Compensation Data

The typical hiring range for this role is $75,602 to $123,432 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

​Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteri