Buyer

We invite you to join Takasago, where you can be innovative and contribute to society through technology. The management of Takasago aims to create a company where each employee can experience a sense of fulfillment.

Takasago is a major global leader and producer of flavors and fragrances providing innovative solutions in flavors, fragrances, aroma ingredients, and fine chemicals. Takasago is headquartered in Japan and operates in over 28 countries, with manufacturing facilities, research and development centers, and sales offices worldwide. Takasago ranked 8th overall and 1st in Asia on the Global Top Food Flavors and Fragrances Companies.

Job Summary

This role is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material supply through effective supplier management, purchase order execution, demand alignment, and inventory support. The position serves as the primary operational contact for suppliers, driving timely order confirmations, resolving supply issues, managing past-due orders, and mitigating material risks that could impact production or customer demand.

Key responsibilities include reviewing material requirements, creating and maintaining purchase orders, monitoring shortages, leveraging SAP tools to assess supply risks, and partnering with Strategic Procurement on MRP and sourcing concerns. The role also develops receiving schedules, balances warehouse capacity, and identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency through optimized ordering and supplier coordination.

Essential Job Functions

Supplier Relationship & Issue Resolution

• Serve as the daily operational liaison for suppliers, resolving concerns quickly to minimize disruption to production.
• Ensure suppliers confirm purchase orders within 48 hours of release; partner with suppliers to resolve exceptions and protect demand fulfillment.
• Proactively manage past-due purchase orders, driving resolution with suppliers and escalating when necessary.
• Act on the Buyer Exception Report to address risks and support demand requirements.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that support daily operations and long-term procurement needs.
• Ensure supplier documentation and compliance processes are consistently followed.

Purchase Order & Demand Management

• Review and analyze purchase requirements daily to support demand forecasts and production plans.
• Create, maintain, and release purchase orders based on raw material requirements driven by the Demand Plan.
• Communicate material shortages proactively, using SAP availability tools to assess supply position and mitigate risk.
• Identify and escalate MRP parameter concerns to Strategic Purchasing.
• Maintain a clear understanding of forecast drivers, MRP parameters, and their impact on inventory.

Receiving Schedule & Operational Efficiency

• Develop and maintain the monthly receiving schedule based on forecasted requirements, incoming receipt flow, and consolidated supplier orders.
• Run and review capacity reports, adjusting the receiving schedule as needed to balance workload and maintain efficiency.
• Optimize purchase order timing and consolidation to reduce delivery-related expenses and create efficiencies for the receiving team.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Own the weekly KPI process: create, review, and resolve the Buyer KPI Report and associated performance measures.
• Collaborate with the Manager and Strategic Procurement on special projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Adhere to all documentation, procurement, and operational processes.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate degree in Business, Materials Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of purchasing experience required; experience in the Flavor & Fragrance industry or in a related manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service orientation and ability to build productive supplier relationships.
• Highly organized with strong follow-up and prioritization skills.
• Able to manage multiple priorities, adapt quickly to changing demand, and perform effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Working knowledge of forecasting, MRP parameters, and inventory impact.
• Willingness to work overtime as business needs require.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: This role requires regular use of a telephone and computer, along with frequent standing, walking, and sitting sometimes for extended periods. The work environment reflects typical conditions for this position; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Compliance: The Buyer must comply with all Takasago International Corporation (U.S.A.) safety, health, and environmental policies, procedures, and protocols applicable to assigned work. Consistent application of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management System standards are required within the scope of this role.

Takasago’s Employee Benefits and Perks: Takasago offers flexible work arrangements, tuition assistance, health benefits, employee discounts to various services and products, and life insurance 1.5 times your salary. When we think about employee success and financial security, we think long-term. Takasago provides robust retirement savings plans, as well as an employee assistance program. We hope you will join us and achieve professional growth and enrichment.

EEO Statement: Takasago provides equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law.