Local Cross-Category Buyer (Indirect Procurement)

About the role

BASF Japan is hiring a Local Cross-Category Buyer (JG4/JG5) in Tokyo for its agricultural solutions business. The role executes procurement strategies at site level while aligning with global procurement objectives, focusing exclusively on indirect procurement, with work split roughly evenly between services and materials, with a slight emphasis on services. It covers sourcing, supplier relationship management, supplier negotiations and tendering.

Key responsibilities

• Execute global and regional category strategies at the local site level
• Lead RFx processes, supplier tenders and commercial negotiations within assigned categories
• Manage supplier selection, contract implementation and contract compliance
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement
• Analyze procurement data and market trends to find cost-saving opportunities
• Support optimization initiatives through standardization, bundling and value creation projects
• Act as the key interface between local stakeholders and global procurement teams

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing and strategic sourcing
• Experience in supplier negotiations and contract management
• Business-level Japanese and professional English
• Preferred: manufacturing or chemical industry procurement experience, multi-site operations experience, knowledge of TCO and benchmarking, project management experience

Required skills

• SAP
• Microsoft Office