Senior Buyer – Transport & Logistics

Role Summary

This role manages complex and high-impact logistics categories, ensuring end-to-end ownership of the procurement lifecycle from requirement definition to payment assurance.

This role combines strategic sourcing, operational execution, and transversal leadership, acting as a trusted advisor and role model for the broader purchasing team while driving supplier performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Purpose: To independently manage complex logistics categories, ensuring effective strategic sourcing, strong supplier partnerships, and sustainable value creation for the business.

Objective: To lead the full procurement lifecycle, drive negotiations, resolve escalations, and ensure alignment between procurement activities and business priorities.

Impact of the Role: This role plays a critical role in ensuring operational continuity, cost efficiency, and supplier performance excellence, while acting as a key enabler of procurement strategy execution and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Execution

• Own end-to-end sourcing activities (RFI/RFQ/RFP) for logistics services

• Translate business requirements into sourcing strategies and contracting approaches

• Lead supplier selection, negotiation, and contract development

• Manage resourcing and continuous sourcing optimization initiatives

• Supplier Performance & Relationship Management

• Manage supplier relationships to ensure QCD performance (Quality, Cost, Delivery)

• Conduct business reviews and performance monitoring (KPIs)

• Manage commercial negotiations, cost optimization, and claims

• Lead escalation handling and ensure service continuity with critical suppliers

• Contracting, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure contract compliance, audit readiness, and documentation accuracy

• Support and manage SOX, contract audits, and procurement compliance processes

• Oversee PO creation, payment validation, and procurement governance activities

• Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (capacity, cost volatility, disruptions)

• Monitor market trends and apply market intelligence for decision-making

• Drive cost-saving initiatives, innovation, and lessons learned implementation

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, finance, legal, and supply chain teams

• Ensure procurement decisions are aligned with business strategy and operational needs

• Act as a key interface between suppliers and internal stakeholders

• Leadership & Team Influence

• Act as a mentor and guide for junior buyers, sharing knowledge and best practices

• Influence cross-functional teams and support decision-making across the organization

• Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement Focus Areas

• End-to-end sourcing for complex logistics services

• Strategic supplier management

• Cross-functional alignment

• Cost optimization and risk mitigation initiatives

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost savings achieved

• Supplier on-time performance

• Contract coverage & compliance rate

• Sourcing cycle time

• Escalation resolution time

• Stakeholder satisfaction

• Innovation / sustainability initiatives delivered

Min 5 years of experience in:

• Managing complex logistics procurement categories (e.g., international freight, warehousing, 3PL)

• S trategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier performance management

• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional sourcing projects in dynamic environments

• Exposure to global and multi-stakeholder environments Core Skills Strategic & Financial

• Strong strategic sourcing and category management capabilities

• Ability to build and validate business cases and total cost of ownership (TCO)

• Strong cost analysis and financial decision-making skills Supplier & Market Management

• Advanced negotiation and contract management

• Supplier performance management using KPIs and structured governance

• Strong market intelligence and benchmarking capabilities Operations & Execution

• Ability to manage both strategic sourcing and operational execution

• Strong follow-up on POs, contracts, and payment processes

• Ability to operate effectively under time pressure and operational urgency Risk & Compliance

• Strong understanding of procurement compliance, audit requirements, and governance frameworks (e.g., SOX)

• Ability to manage contractual risk, supplier dependency, and service continuity Leadership & Influence

• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive decisions without formal authority

• Experience mentoring or guiding junior buyers and team members

• Strong stakeholder management and conflict resolution skills Data & Tools

• Strong analytical skills with KPI-driven decision-making

• Proficiency in procurement systems, ERP tools, and reporting dashboards Languages

• English: Advanced / Fluent (mandatory) – ability to lead negotiations, supplier discussions, and cross-functional communication in a global environment

• Spanish: Fluent (mandatory) – for local stakeholder and operational alignment

• Additional languages (e.g., French, Portuguese) are a plus

Systems & Tools

• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP or equivalent) for procurement and PO management

• Familiarity with sourcing platforms / RFQ tools (e.g., e-sourcing systems such as e-Leen or similar)

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced level) for cost analysis, reporting, and decision-making

• Experience with data visualization or reporting tools (e.g., Power BI or equivalent) is a plus

Technical & Analytical Capabilities

• Ability to perform cost modeling and total cost analysis (TCO)

• Strong capability in KPI tracking, supplier performance analysis, and reporting

• Experience working with large data sets and structured procurement reporting

• Solid understanding of logistics flows and supply chain operations Compliance & Process Knowledge

• Knowledge of procurement compliance frameworks and audit environments (e.g., SOX)

• Experience managing contract documentation, governance, and approval workflows

• Understanding of procurement processes (RFI/RFQ/RFP, contracting, payments)Certifications (Nice to Have)

• Procurement or Supply Chain certifications (e.g., APICS, CPSM, CIPS)

• Lean / Continuous Improvement certifications

• Data or analytics-related certifications