Buyer/Senior Buyer (Direct Materials & Planning Interface)

Job description

Company: Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates Singapore Pte. Ltd. Job Description: Job Purpose This role manages direct raw material and utility availability, partnering with Production and Sales to align supply with demand while optimising cost, inventory, risk and commercial control. Key Accountabilities 1. Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Oversee the purchasing of raw materials, chemicals and related services to ensure uninterrupted plant operations. Source, evaluate and negotiate with suppliers to optimise cost, quality, delivery reliability and HSSE performance. Manage the PR/PO lifecycle in SAP B1 / S/4HANA), ensuring data accuracy and process efficiency. 2. Production Planning & Inventory Optimization Partner with Production and Sales to align raw material availabilities with agreed production volumes and demand plans. Optimise inventory using planning tools such as safety stock modelling, reorder points and JIT to balance supply reliability, working capital and cash flow. Monitor inventory positions and proactively mitigate risks of shortages, excess or obsolescence. 3. Invoice Verification & Commercial Control Verify invoices against contracts, delivery documents, goods receipts, pricing and payment terms. Resolve pricing, quantity or tax discrepancies with Suppliers and Finance. Track procurement costs and productivity, manage accruals and support month-end closing. Prepare forecast for budgeting and rolling forecasts purposes. Perform stock audits at 3rd party premises. 4. Contract, Compliance & Governance Support contract administration, pricing updates, renewals and commercial reviews. Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements and HSSE standards. Support internal, external and supplier audits to ensure procurement governance compliance. Maintain accurate and auditable procurement documentation and records. 5. Stakeholder & Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Partner with Supply Chain, Production, Engineering and Finance to deliver business outcomes. Conduct supplier performance reviews covering delivery, quality, cost, service, and safety. Resolve supplier issues, claims and escalations, driving corrective actions where required. Requirements Qualifications & Experience Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline. Minimum 7–10 years of procurement and planning experience in chemical or petrochemical environments. Proven exposure to S&OP and production planning interfaces. Hands-on experience in direct materials procurement and invoice verification. Strong ERP proficiency in SAP B1 and SAP S/4HANA Technical & Commercial Capability Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills. Good understanding of Incoterms, international trade, supply risk, inventory planning and hazardous/bulk chemical logistics. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis and reporting. Competent in working with SharePoint for document management, collaboration, version control and maintaining auditable records. What we Look For Meticulous, organised and detail-oriented. High level of integrity, accountability and professionalism. Self-motivated team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable working with numbers and analysing data accurately. Positive attitude with a strong willingness to learn and grow. Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Critical and strategic thinker with good problem-solving abilities. Growth mindset with the ability to adapt and embrace challenges. Role Fit Considerations Requires high autonomy; not a junior or transactional buyer role. Requires plant or direct materials experience; not an indirect or corporate services role. Target Backgrounds Chemical manufacturing plants Process manufacturing environments, including petrochemicals, polymers, specialty chemicals or industrial gases. Why Join Us? Gain visibility with operations and senior management while influencing business decisions. Make a direct impact on production continuity, cost optimisation and supply resilience. Collaborate with Global Procurement teams and broaden professional exposure. Drive real change in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your contributions are recognized and valued.