Global Lead Buyer & Regional Coordinator – Raw Materials Purchasing

Continental•Fort Mill, SC

17d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for developing and implementing commodity strategies, leading global and regional negotiations, RFQs, contract awards, and implementation. The position ensures short- and long-term supply at competitive total cost, quality, and innovation standards. It involves conducting market and cost modeling analysis to support sourcing decisions and identify cost reduction and value creation initiatives. The role also ensures uninterrupted supply of raw materials for planned production, supports forecasting, budgeting, material planning, and inventory optimization. It requires managing supplier relationships, including performance reviews and executive engagement, sourcing, evaluating, onboarding, and developing new suppliers. The position involves monitoring market developments, identifying sourcing risks and opportunities, and supporting sustainability, compliance, and corporate initiatives. The role serves as a regional ambassador for Corporate Purchasing strategy and supports plant purchasing teams. It requires coordination within the regional raw material cluster and representation of Procurement in management forums. Additionally, the role involves maintaining material and supplier databases, reporting savings and performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with company policies. Participation in audits and assessments is also required. Travel is approximately 20-30%, including international travel.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management or related field
5+ years of professional experience (3+ preferred in procurement, buying, sales, or supply chain management)
Strong analytical and cost optimization skills with proficiency in data analysis
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
Excellent negotiation and contract management capabilities
Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders
Experience with multinational organizations and matrix organizations
Legal Authorization to work in the US is required.
Continental is not able to offer sponsorship now or in the future for this opportunity

Nice To Haves

7+ years of professional experience (3+ preferred in procurement, buying, sales, or supply chain management)
3+ years of experience in global sourcing or multi-regional procurement coordination
Demonstrated leadership experience managing procurement teams or cross-functional projects
Familiarity with sustainability and environmental compliance standards in procurement
Experience in manufacturing or raw materials / commodity procurement

Responsibilities

Develop and implement commodity strategies aligned with Corporate Purchasing
Lead global and regional negotiations, RFQs, contract awards, and implementation
Secure short- and long-term supply at competitive total cost, quality, and innovation standards
Conduct market and cost modeling analysis to support sourcing decisions and identify cost reduction and value creation initiatives
Ensure uninterrupted supply of raw materials for planned production across assigned global and regional portfolios
Support forecasting, budgeting, material planning, and inventory optimization to meet inventory targets and KPIs
Monitor supply chain for efficiency opportunities and partner with Logistics, R&D, Finance, and Manufacturing
Manage assigned global and regional supplier relationships, including performance reviews and executive engagement
Source, evaluate, onboard, and develop new suppliers within assigned material cluster
Drive Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) including segmentation and rationalization
Lead quality issue resolution and escalation management in alignment with stakeholders
Monitor and ensure communication of forecasts to suppliers
Monitor macroeconomic and commodity market developments (feedstock trends, FX rates, inflation, regulatory changes, industry demand, regulations, market trends etc)
Identify sourcing risks and opportunities
Exchange regularly with Regional Management and Corporate Purchasing
Support sustainability, compliance, and corporate initiatives (eg conflict minerals, environmental programs)
Serve as regional ambassador for Corporate Purchasing strategy and support plant purchasing teams on sourcing strategies
Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Logistics, Finance, Quality, Legal, and ISCM (Inbound Supply Chain Management) to drive value and operational excellence
Coordinate activities within the regional raw material cluster and represent Procurement in management forums
Maintain material and supplier databases as needed for price tracking, and procurement systems (SAP, sourcing tools, savings trackers)
Report savings, action plans, performance metrics, and provide input on raw material costs for P&L rollup and budgeting
Ensure compliance with all company and Corporate Purchasing policies
Participate in audits and assessments to ensure quality supply standards
Travel approximately 20- 30% (international included)
Execute projects as assigned