Buyer

Essity is a global leader in health and hygiene headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with a North American headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. We are a multi-billion-dollar company dedicated to breaking barriers to well-being through innovations in Professional Hygiene, Personal Care, and Health & Medical solutions, serving over a billion people daily.

About The Role

Essity Global Sourcing Team is searching for a Technical Material Buyer for our Central region, located in Middletown, OH. As part of the Global Sourcing Team, Operational Sourcing integrates Strategic Sourcing solutions into manufacturing sites and drives cost reduction initiatives for regional materials and services. This role supports and leads cost-in-use initiatives across all spend categories, collaborating with Strategic Sourcing, Product Supply, and relevant functions.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Strategic Sourcing and site management to implement global material group sourcing strategies within factories.
• Own, develop, and implement sourcing strategies and cost savings initiatives for Hub-related materials and services.
• Continuously develop a roadmap of material, NPMS, and services savings using a TCO approach (negotiation, VA/VE, Design to Cost, etc.).
• Analyze supply market trends and forces impacting the business, developing plans to exploit opportunities.
• Introduce supplier innovation to cross-functional teams to drive value and maintain Essity’s industry leadership.
• Ensure optimum quality, service, and cost from key suppliers to enhance Essity’s competitive advantage.
• Plan and drive value from e-sourcing events (E-Auctions, E-Tenders) across plant, hub, and functions.
• Ensure compliance with sourcing processes aligned to Internal Audit and Internal Controls.
• Coordinate and drive workshops and benchmarking exercises to align and implement best practices.
• Support digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives with Sourcing Excellence teams.
• Communicate market developments, strategies, and key activity status effectively across the Hub Sourcing Team.
• Attend cross-functional meetings to report results, advise opportunities, and support initiatives.
• Develop strong stakeholder relationships across functions (Product Supply, Innovation, Commercial, etc.).
• Ensure alignment and transparency of cost savings initiatives regarding budgets, forecasts, and actuals.
• Maintain and review Sourcing projects regularly using ARIBA – Sourcing Projects Tracker.
• Manage contracts using the ARIBA contract management system and conduct regular spend analysis.
• Identify and correct master data errors, ensuring contract pricing is maintained in SAP ARIBA/SAP ERP.
• Collaborate with Sourcing Excellence and Analysts to upgrade and improve system performance.
• Participate in reviews of Sourcing KPIs, ensuring timely follow-up of key actions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a technical field (or related professional qualification such as CIPS, NEVI). Experience may substitute for education.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in operations and/or manufacturing preferred.
• Strong negotiation skills and knowledge of operations management and supply chain processes in large organizations.
• Excellent analytical abilities and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Persistent drive for results with sound project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels in a matrix environment.
• Knowledge of technology-driven sourcing processes.
• Experience with SAP ERP, SAP S4/HANA, and SAP ARIBA preferred.
• Power BI experience is advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary + annual incentive bonus.
• Healthcare benefits: United Healthcare PPO, EyeMed Vision Insurance, Delta Dental Insurance.
• Wellness program through RallyHealthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) with employer match and annual employer base contribution.
• Company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays.
• Scholarship program for children of Essity employees.