Regional Category Buyer

About Kerry

Kerry is a global leader in taste and nutrition solutions for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. The company partners with customers to develop products that are healthier, more enjoyable, and more sustainable, serving consumers worldwide every day. Kerry’s ambition is to be the most valued partner to its customers by helping build a future of sustainable nutrition. Joining Kerry means working in a worldwide environment with room to learn, contribute, and grow.

Role overview

This permanent full-time position reports to the Procurement Manager. The Regional Buyer will drive sourcing activity across the region with a focus on lowering costs while protecting and improving product quality and supplier service. The scope covers raw materials, packaging, and indirect spend categories. The role also requires strong cross-functional partnership across Kerry to support regional strategy and sustainable growth.

Key responsibilities

• Source raw materials, packaging, and indirect services in a timely and cost-effective way while meeting business requirements.
• Work with Supply Chain and other teams to flag supply risks or shortages that could affect operations.
• Coordinate closely with Finance and relevant teams to keep commodity pricing information current.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, strengthen pricing and purchasing terms, and identify opportunities to save money.
• Monitor commodity prices and make buying decisions using market and economic data.
• Own and deliver cost-reduction initiatives that create measurable business and P&L value.
• Track SKU and category spend performance, including PPV, and continuously look for cost improvements.
• Manage local supplier selection and supplier negotiations.
• Identify and source new vendors and raw materials within the region.
• Improve procurement workflows and simplify processes to increase efficiency and business value.
• Plan and run e-tenders for regional spend categories.
• Partner with APMEA regional and global colleagues on tenders and projects as needed.
• Develop and execute category strategies for selected raw material, packaging, and IMAS categories.
• Provide market intelligence through documented sourcing analysis, supplier research, and supply scenario comparisons.
• Review regional spending trends and challenge stakeholders constructively on procurement decisions.
• Work across functions and geographies to implement strategic category sourcing initiatives.

Qualifications and experience

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree from a reputable university and brings at least 4 years of regional procurement experience. Experience in a global manufacturing environment, particularly in direct procurement, is required. Background in FMCG is also expected. Hands-on experience with e-tenders and forecasting commodity prices is important. A strong record in risk management, strategic procurement, negotiation, and delivering cost reductions is essential. English fluency is mandatory, and Arabic is an advantage. SAP knowledge will be considered a plus.

Competencies

• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal ability
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in partnership and across matrix structures
• Skill in connecting market insights and trends to sourcing and savings opportunities
• Creative thinking to propose new approaches and solutions
• Strong presentation and communication capability
• Influencing ability and confidence in conflict management
• Self-driven, enthusiastic, and committed working style

Additional information

Requisition ID: 63495. Position type: FT Permanent. The role requires travel for around 20% of the time.

Important notice

Candidates should be cautious of impersonation or fraud attempts. The company does not request payment to take part in hiring, except for reimbursable travel expenses, and official communication will come from company-controlled channels.

Recruitment notes

Recruiter information is referenced in the source, along with a posting type marked as LI.