Sourcing Buyer (Kaukauna, WI)

About the role

The Buyer is responsible for securing an optimized and stable SRM to the manufacturing sites while maintaining a strong link and alignment with the other members of the site Procurement Team and Regional Category management. This position supports the Source-to-Contract (S2C) area and leads and develops processes and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplier base and mitigate third-party risk
• Support pricing accuracy
• Secure and monitor contract compliance for site specific raw materials, packaging, and indirect categories
• Select and negotiate site-specific contracts aligned with external spending policy for areas outside the scope of Regional Category Managers
• Achieve Procurement targets established in the annual plan such as: cost savings, supplier lead time, compliance rate, supplier performance
• Ensure proper information/documentation for annual blanket purchase orders, such as but not limited to quotes, contracts, rate cards, insurance
• Participate in local STT meetings
• Approve indirect POs above 5k€ in the system
• On-board new suppliers through approved process (challenging and validating a new supplier)
• Collaborate with Finance to resolve discrepancies
• Collaborate with Finance to manage Supplier DPO (Days Payable Outstanding) on a quarterly basis, along with implementing process improvements where DPO is not reflective of payment terms (where applicable)
• Provide assurance for contracts execution
• Maintain database of supplier evaluations, contracts, pricing agreements and claims per global policy
• Lead and develop procurement operations, processes, and procedures within the site to secure good quality sustainable supply
• Engage and motivate internal stakeholders to operate according to procurement policies, processes, and procedures
• Manage ISO audits and internal audits for Indirect category
• Manage supplier consignment audits (where applicable)
• Utilize approved tools to track cost savings, cost avoidance and opportunities
• Generate performance metrics, as required
• Manage supplier claims as well as supplier evaluations of the plant according to Ahlstrom tools and procedures
• Give feedback and supporting documentation on supplier performance and contract compliance to the category managers regularly
• Provide spend analysis and benchmarking for local suppliers
• Gather and understand the business requirements of the site and communicate them within the procurement organization (Category managers)
• Work with the regional Indirect team to align priorities and activities for the sites
• Help drive standardization in products, services, and processes
• Build trust, engage and motivate internal stakeholders, to operate according to procurement policies, processes, and procedures, through visits to the assigned plants
• Manage indirect categories of supplier claims directly with the supplier with alignment from Regional Category Managers
• Lead site related projects in alignment with the category strategies and CAPEX instructions and facilitate requests for quotations
• Support and implement best practice in sourcing Capex investments
• Align and collaborate with the Capex Procurement Project Managers to secure timely and reliable implementation of mid and large Capex Projects

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Procurement
• Possess a Bachelor's degree
• Proven experience in supplier relationship management
• Skilled in commercial and contracts negotiations
• Proven experience in driving and executing tasks and activities in S2P
• Experience in Procurement Services is strongly recommended
• Experience in SAP (P2P) or site-specific equivalent system
• SAP and JDE skills are a plus
• Willingness to travel (drive/or fly) to supplier meetings, sites and team meetings
• Valid driving license

About Us

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at