Buyer-indirects, Emea

**Hybrid working environment (3-4 days from home, at least one day per week from the office).**

It's an exciting time to join Kohler Co., with over 30 diverse brands in 50+ countries, we are continuing to experience significant growth and re-investment into our privately owned, $7 billion business.

We are looking for a Buyer, with at least 1-2 years’ prior experience in a procurement role, to be responsible for professional procurement support to the EMEA and Global businesses. This includes the commercial management of multiple EMEA-wide indirect Spend Categories, taking a lead role in delivering and maintaining existing category strategies and project plans across Kitchen & Bath, Energy and Hospitality.

This is an exciting opportunity to manage suppliers and agreements to deliver the best possible ongoing results, along with supporting the implementation of Global Policy regionally. You will engage with stakeholders to understand their needs and gain buy-in. You will also have the opportunity to focus on continuous improvement initiatives and projects for all regional businesses. Negotiating the very best value deal and tracking the benefits delivered is crucial. You will also lead other non-sourcing purchasing projects as required. We will support your development through mentoring, in-house training, and coaching to take your procurement skills to the next level.

**Specific Responsibilities**
- In collaboration with purchasing associates and business stakeholders lead a wide range of categories such as Business Travel, Material Handling Equipment, Office Stationery and Vehicle Fleet categories in EMEA.
- Manage all commercial aspects including supplier performance and agreements.
- Develop an expert understanding of category details such as marketplace, best practice, and industry trends.
- Lead sourcing activity, gaining stakeholder buy-in, setting up project teams, and delivering the best value (TCO) result in a timely fashion.
- Manage purchasing related risks in a professional manner.
- Take the lead in working with Global Procurement associates to develop Global best practice, providing insight and knowledge on EMEA region complexities and support effective roll out of Global Process

**Required Competencies**
- Commercial Skills: Effectively work with internal complexities across multi or global organization in a manner invisible to customers.
- Negotiation: Effectively support and participate in supplier negotiations
- Strategy Development: Maintain and influence spend category strategy with the understanding of interdependences, risks, and impact of strategy by business unit.
- Project Management: Coordinate multi-location projects with cultural awareness.
- Continuous Improvement: A focus on continuous learning with a knowledge or interest of leading-edge trends in market/industry. Identifying improvement opportunities that are global in scope and complexity, creating strategies for process improvements that positively impact the work product of the department. Able to work off own initiative and at a remote location.
- Interpersonal: Demonstrate professionalism in communicating with associates of all levels within the organisation.

**Skills/Requirements**

**Essential**:

- At least 1-2 years’ purchasing knowledge and experience (not necessarily in indirect purchasing)
- A demonstrable track record of managing category spend and projects.
- Excellent communication skills (written and spoken)
- Experience working with different cultures.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- Travel up to 10% to other Kohler entities across the region.

**Desirable**:

- Experience within stated categories.
- Degree (or equivalent) desirable in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business or Engineering.
- CIPS level 2.
- Experience of supporting businesses across EMEA.
- French and/or Italian language skills.

**Why Work at Kohler?**

Kohler’s mission is to contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by our products and services. We understand that it takes investment in our associates’ development to make that happen. So, we offer ongoing investment in each individual’s personal development and the opportunity to collaborate with others across functions and roles at Kohler.

In addition to the investment in your development, Kohler offers a benefits package including a competitive salary, bonus, health plan, pension and more

**About Us**

At our Corporate Centre for EMEA, EMEA Corporate Services we support Kohler businesses in our region, we have an excellent team of dedicated associates focused on delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring every interaction is a genuine, positive and rewarding experience for both our internal and external customers. We represent the Corporate Functions found in Kohler, Wisconsin here in the EMEA region - Finance, Tax, IT, Internal Audit, Procurement, Regional Operations for Global Shared Services, Environment Health &