Buyer

PURPOSE

Indirect Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing indirect materials and services required to support manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, facilities, and office operations. The role ensures the timely availability of goods and services at the optimal total cost while maintaining quality, compliance, and supplier performance standards.

Indirect Buyer will work closely with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Human Resources, Finance, and external suppliers to support uninterrupted plant operations, cost reduction initiatives, inventory optimization, and continuous improvement programs.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible to manage procurement of indirect materials and services required for plant operations, including Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) items, personal protective equipment (PPE), fabrication consumables, packaging materials, facility maintenance services, utility-related equipment, chemicals, office supplies, information technology equipment, and contractor services.
• Source qualified suppliers through competitive bidding, request for quotation (RFQ), request for proposal (RFP), and market benchmarking activities to ensure the organization obtains the best value while meeting quality, delivery, and service requirements.
• Responsible for evaluating supplier quotations, negotiating pricing, payment terms, lead times, service agreements, and commercial conditions to achieve annual cost reduction and productivity targets.
• Responsible to issue and manage purchase orders, monitor supplier commitments, and ensure on-time delivery of goods and services to meet operational requirements without disruption to manufacturing activities.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand technical specifications, scope of work, service requirements, and delivery expectations before executing procurement activities.
• Responsible to identify, qualify, and develop new suppliers to improve supplier competitiveness, reduce supply risks, localize sourcing opportunities, and enhance overall supply chain resilience.
• Responsible for monitoring supplier performance related to quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and service levels. The role shall conduct periodic supplier evaluations and drive supplier improvement initiatives where performance gaps are identified.
• Support annual budgeting exercises by providing purchase forecasts, cost analysis, market intelligence, and cost-saving opportunities for indirect procurement categories.
• Monitor inventory levels of critical maintenance spares, operating consumables, and plant supplies to ensure adequate availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Responsible to make sure all procurement activities comply with company policies, delegated authority requirements, ethical sourcing standards, and applicable statutory regulations. The incumbent shall support internal and external audits as required.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate purchasing records, supplier master data, contracts, and sourcing documentation within SAP or other approved procurement systems.
• Prepare procurement reports, supplier performance scorecards, savings reports, spend analysis, and KPI reports to support management decision-making and business reviews.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects related to procurement efficiency, supplier development, inventory optimization, cost reduction, and digitalization initiatives. This includes supporting smart factory and operational excellence objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain management, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, Accountancy or related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), ISM, APICS, CPIM or equivalent procurement qualifications will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of procurement or purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing categories such as MRO, plant consumables, engineering services, facility management, packaging materials, chemicals, indirect materials, utilities, or capital expenditure projects is preferred.
• Experience using SAP ERP systems and working in a lean manufacturing or operational excellence environment is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting metal fabrication, assembly manufacturing, HVAC equipment, cooling tower production, or industrial manufacturing operations will be advantageous.