Location:
Leça do Balio, Matosinhos, Porto, PT
COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered is Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 11,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.
Job Summary
The Senior Global Indirect Services Buyer leads strategic sourcing and procurement activities across Indirect Services categories globally. Acting as a strategic business partner, this role owns complex sourcing initiatives, drives global demand consolidation programs, leads high-value negotiations, develops category strategies, and ensures procurement activities support organizational objectives while maximizing value creation.
Strategic Procurement Leadership
Lead global sourcing strategies across Indirect Services categories.
Develop and maintain category roadmaps aligned with business priorities.
Drive demand consolidation initiatives to leverage global purchasing power.
Identify and implement opportunities for cost optimization, value creation, and service improvement.
Develop long-term supplier and category strategies that support organizational objectives.
Advanced Vendor & Contract Management
Manage strategic supplier relationships across critical indirect spend categories.
Lead complex negotiations involving pricing models, service levels, performance commitments, contractual terms, and commercial frameworks.
Collaborate with Legal and business stakeholders on contracting governance and risk management.
Own supplier performance management programs and strategic business reviews.
Ensure key suppliers meet performance, compliance, and sustainability expectations.
Procurement Execution & Optimization
Oversee procurement activities for strategic and high-value spend categories.
Lead complex RFPs, RFQs, and sourcing projects with global scope.
Establish sourcing methodologies, commercial evaluation models, and supplier selection frameworks.
Utilize spend analytics, benchmarking, and TCO methodologies to support decision-making.
Drive procurement process optimization and automation initiatives.
Stakeholder Partnership
Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across HR, Facilities, Operations, Finance, Legal, and business leadership teams.
Support stakeholders in defining sourcing strategies, scopes of work, and service delivery models.
Ensure early procurement involvement in business initiatives and major projects.
Resolve complex supplier, commercial, or contractual escalations.
Deliver executive-level procurement insights, recommendations, and market intelligence.
Compliance, Governance & Risk Control
Ensure procurement activities comply with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.
Lead supplier risk management and business continuity assessments.
Implement governance frameworks for strategic contracts and supplier relationships.
Promote transparency, ethical sourcing, and procurement best practices globally.
Support audit readiness and procurement governance initiatives.
Data, Insights & Market Intelligence
Monitor market trends, supplier landscapes, and industry developments across Indirect Services categories.
Develop sourcing intelligence and benchmarking analyses to support strategic decisions.
Prepare executive-level reporting on procurement performance, savings delivery, supplier performance, and market conditions.
Track category performance against strategic objectives.
Identify emerging service delivery models and commercial opportunities.
Team Coaching & Continuous Improvement
Mentor Buyers and Junior Buyers within the procurement organization.
Lead standardization and capability-building initiatives across regions.
Promote best practices in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category management.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance procurement effectiveness and stakeholder satisfaction.
Support the development of future procurement talent and organizational capabilities.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, or related field.
5+ years of procurement experience with significant exposure to Indirect Services categories in a global environment.
Proven track record in strategic sourcing, category management, and complex negotiations.
Demonstrated experience leading demand consolidation and global sourcing initiatives.
Strong analytical, commercial, and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence senior stakeholders.
Experience managing global categories such Facility Services, Meal Services, HR Benefits, Professional Services, Consultancy Services, Port Services, Sustainability, Events and General Services.
Experience in multi-country supplier negotiations and category strategy development.
COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.
