QUALIFICATIONS:

• HBO/University work and education level
• Worked a minimum of 5 years in strategic procurement, preferably in commodities such as dairy, soy, wheat, vegetables, oils, or chemicals.
• Knowledge of the dairy industry, both nationally and internationally, and/or the vegetable oil market is highly valued.
• Experience in developing and implementing sourcing strategies.
• Managing end-to-end supply chains including Key Supplier Management (SRM).
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, together with the ability to work in a cross functional and cross regional environment.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance supplier and internal stakeholder needs.
• Deep understanding of supply chains (incl. operational processes and logistics).
• Fluent English, preferable also Dutch and/or German.
• Affinity with ERP systems, logistics processes.

JOIN OUR PURPOSE - FEEDING THE FUTURE

Nutreco is a member of the SHV family, and we are committed to ‘Feeding the Future’ through sustainable and innovative practices. Nutreco has two business lines: Skretting is a leading global provider of innovative aquafeed solutions, revolutionizing aquaculture for a sustainable future. Trouw Nutrition specializes in animal nutrition and is committed to advancing livestock health and productivity through cutting-edge solutions.
Nutreco produces Calf milk replacers (CMR) and for these products they need Milk Fat filled, whey fat filled raw materials, but also many different dairy commodities and vegetable oils. To produce CMR, we have several factories and for these locations we need both powder as well as liquid raw materials. Demand for CMR is growing approximately 4% per year. In the growing market it is always a challenge to secure all required raw materials.
We are seeking a procurement professional to join our team as a Senior Lead Buyer for the Dairy and vegetable oil category. This role is pivotal in managing high-volume procurement of raw materials such as vegetables oils (refined Palm and Coconut oil), and dairy raw materials in both powder and liquid, with a strong focus on local business networks and supply chain logistics. The successful candidate will be groomed to step into the Category Manager role within a year (based on performance), ensuring continuity and strategic leadership in sourcing operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute sourcing plans for assigned categories and subcategories under the guidance of the Global Category Manager.
• Lead tender processes for thoe commodities suitable for tendering and supplier negotiations, ensuring optimal pricing and supply continuity.
• Monitor supply market trends and supplier performance to maintain a competitive sourcing position. Manage procurement data and processes to optimize sourcing strategies and performance metrics.
• Coordinate Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) meetings and manage supplier contracts effectively. Plan and conduct regular supplier meetings and industry visits to identify new sourcing opportunities.
• Support sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance with corporate policies and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with plant managers and production stakeholders to align procurement with operational needs. Participate in supply chain meetings and formulation teams to enhance procurement integration.
• Ensure business continuity by securing raw material availability across short, medium, and long-term horizons.