This is a key role within the Global Procurement function, driving a high-performance culture and setting the standard for excellence. We are looking for an ambitious Strategic Buyer, to join External Manufacturing (Contract Manufacturing Organization) Category Management Team within Global Procurement with focus on procurement of a diverse portfolio of finished goods medical devices. This would include key interfaces with external suppliers to ensure capacity availability, Manufacturing & Supply Chain to ensure timely forecasting, the Advanced Operations team on New Product Development (NPD) and implementing collaborative cross functional initiative workshops across all methods, modalities and cycles resulting in a cohesive, long term Category Strategy.

This role is 100% focused on supporting surety of supply and optimisation across Ostomy Care, Advanced Wound Care, Continence Care and Infusion Care.

As a member of this team, you will be expected to develop, outline, and submit initiatives and support projects in accordance with agreed upon deliverables, timings, and budgets.

Your Duties and Responsibilities:

• Become the procurement SME in the assigned category: external manufacturing / contract manufacturing organization (CMO).
• Analyse complex information/data to drive to decisions and or actions.
• Prepare and execute large RFI/RFQ to support benchmarking exercises and category strategy development.
• Manage service agreements monitoring their correct implementation and execution; support the senior procurement manager with the preparation for new contract negotiation.
• Manage supply availability for assigned capacity to meet existing production and NPD project timeline and deliverables.
• Ensure effective communication channels between operational contacts and key suppliers to improve throughput, capacity optimisation and cross validation activities.
• Utilise internal resources and supplier data to develop Excel planning tools, lead measures and supplier performance metrics.
• Drive cross functional initiative workshops to establish a pipeline of optimisation to mitigate category constraints and supplier under capacity.
• Attend business review meetings and project review meetings and report status where relevant to the Category, identify risks and potential impacts on project timeline with associated mitigation options.
• Work closely with the Procurement Manager/Procurement Director responsible for the supplier/Category commercial relationship.
• Drive supplier initiatives and business review meetings with assigned suppliers as part of Global Procurement Supplier Relationship management (SRM) programs.
• Anticipate risks and supply issues and proactively taking actions to prevent occurrence.
• Escalate risks and supply issues and resolve with the appropriate sense of urgency.
• Build strong relationships across multiple functions (R&D/T&I, PMO, Advanced Operations, Supply Chain, Global Procurement, Supplier Quality, Marketing, Regulatory, Commercial) and with assigned suppliers, clear written and verbal communications.
• Develop in depth understanding of the internal and external capacity.es and constraints within the assigned Category including financial aspects of the external manufacturing partners.
• Support ESG initiatives executing the corporate ESG agenda and following up with the assigned external manufacturing suppliers.

About You:

• 5 years + working within a similar buyer role (preferably in a similar regulated industry); prior experience with procurement of finished goods preferred but not required.
• Able to demonstrate the values and behaviors required to be successful in the role and support the Convatec ‘Forever Caring’ Promise.
• Experience in contract implementation and management
• Experience with best cost country procurement
• Excellent inter-personal & communication skills.
• Results and solution oriented, with a focus on meeting required targets and deadlines.
• Able to operate independently on own deliverables while working in large cross-functional teams under time pressure
• An understanding of initiatives development or requirements to deliver complex projects
• Possess ability for analytical problem-solving and analysis/interpretation of complex problems, incorporating data gathered from a variety of sources/software tools.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate to a diverse audience, at multiple levels within the company using a variety of formats, presentations, emails, leading meetings, face to face, etc.
• Able to promote and foster new ideas among internal and external stakeholders, challenging the status quo with sustainable solution(s). 
• Must be able to work with a range of technically and culturally diverse people, influencing them to achieve goals in a timely manner to help drive business results. 

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid working or home based with regular visit to ConvaTec site as required.

Travel Requirements:

• Position may require some (<10%) travel (domestic and international) to External manufacturing suppliers’ plants and ConvaTec offices.