Coca-Cola

Junior Buyer ( Strategic Sourcing) Ingredients

Coca-Cola$90K — $122K *
Food & Beverages
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field
  • 1-3+ years' experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or logistics (internships/co-ops considered)
  • Proven negotiation skills for smaller categories or supplier agreements
  • Strong analytical skills with experience in cost analysis and data interpretation
  • High attention to detail in data management and reporting
  • Ability to understand commercial contracts and pricing schedules
  • Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and proficiency in Excel; experience with Power BI is an advantage
  • Interest in digital transformation and experience with AI-powered tools is a plus
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills with a service-oriented mindset
  • Proactive attitude with a focus on problem-solving and collaboration

Responsibilities

  • Manage procurement activities for small-spend, low-to-medium complexity ingredient categories
  • Lead negotiations for assigned ingredients, ensuring compliance with procurement policies
  • Prepare and present sourcing plans and category analyses, assessing risks and supplier improvement opportunities
  • Support senior buyers during complex negotiations with detailed analyses and data-driven scenarios
  • Maintain accurate procurement data in sourcing systems and tools
  • Monitor supply availability, identifying risks and recommending mitigation actions
  • Resolve supplier or quality issues in collaboration with relevant teams
  • Enhance day-to-day supplier relationships through performance follow-ups and reviews
  • Generate insights through reports and dashboards in Excel and Power BI
  • Apply AI-enabled tools to improve procurement processes and reporting efficiency

Benefits

  • Hands-on experience in strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management
  • Professional development in analytics and negotiation
  • Collaborative opportunities across multiple functions for career advancement
  • Contributions to a digital and agile sourcing organization
  • Exposure to a global network and innovative procurement practices
Full Job Description
Job Description Summary:

The Junior Buyer (Strategic Sourcing) - Ingredients will play an integral role in supporting the Strategic Sourcing team by handling procurement activities for select ingredient categories, managing supplier relationships, and driving efficiency in day-to-day sourcing operations. This role is ideal for a results-focused individual who combines strong analytical capability with negotiation skills, digital curiosity, and a customer-service mindset.

In this position, you'll partner with senior buyers, supply planning, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure sourcing continuity, compliance, and cost competitiveness while exploring AI and digital solutions to streamline processes and improve insights. Joining our Technical Innovation & Supply Chain organization means becoming part of a forward-thinking team that values collaboration, growth, and innovation.

What You'll Do for Us
  • Manage procurement activities for small-spend, low-to-medium complexity ingredient categories and ensure timely, accurate order execution
  • Lead negotiations for assigned ingredients-including pricing, service levels, lead times, and payment terms-while adhering to procurement governance and compliance policies
  • Prepare and present sourcing plans and category analyses for assigned ingredients, incorporating risk assessment, cost drivers, and supplier improvement opportunities
  • Support senior buyers during complex negotiations by providing analysis, supplier proposals, and data-driven scenarios
  • Maintain accurate pricing, supplier data, and other procurement information in sourcing systems and tools
  • Monitor supply availability and proactively identify risks, escalating issues to stakeholders and recommending mitigation actions
  • Participate in resolving supplier or quality-related issues in collaboration with plants, planning, and quality teams
  • Manage and improve day-to-day supplier relationships, including regular performance follow-ups and supporting business reviews
  • Generate reports and dashboards using Excel and (where possible) Power BI, providing insights into cost performance, inventory, and supplier metrics
  • Demonstrate initiative in applying AI-enabled tools (where approved) for drafting negotiation briefs, summarizing supplier communications, identifying data anomalies, and improving reporting efficiency
  • Ensure data integrity and compliance with company policies, including contract documentation, audit readiness, and confidentiality requirements
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, R&D, Quality, and Legal to support supplier onboarding, ingredient changes, and documentation needs


Requirements & Qualifications
  • Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field
  • 1-3+ years' experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, logistics, or related roles (internships/co-ops considered)
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct and support negotiations, even for smaller categories or supplier agreements
  • Strong analytical skills with experience in data interpretation, cost analysis, and problem-solving
  • High degree of accuracy and attention to detail in data management and reporting activities
  • Ability to read and interpret commercial contracts, pricing schedules, and supplier compliance requirements
  • ERP system knowledge (SAP preferred); strong Excel proficiency and familiarity with Power BI or similar tools
  • Interest in digital transformation and experience with AI-powered tools or process automation is an advantage
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and teamwork skills, with a service-oriented mindset
  • Positive, proactive attitude and willingness to engage collaboratively to deliver results and solve problems


What We'll Do for You
  • Provide hands-on experience in strategic sourcing, category ownership, and supplier relationship management with exposure to a global network
  • Enable professional development in analytics, negotiation, and digital capabilities, including practical applications of AI in procurement workflows
  • Offer collaborative opportunities across multiple functions, positioning you for a future career path in supply chain leadership, category management, or procurement strategy
  • Empower you to make meaningful contributions to a sourcing organization evolving toward digital, agile, and insight-led procurement practices


The Coca-Cola Company will not offer sponsorship for employment status (including, but not limited to, H1-B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require The Coca-Cola Company's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

Skills:

Pay Range:
United States of America: 90,700 USD - 122,700 USD

Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Annual Incentive Reference Value Percentage:
0

Annual Incentive reference value is a market-based competitive value for your role. It falls in the middle of the range for your role, indicating performance at target.

Location(s):
United States of America

City/Cities:
Atlanta

Travel Required:
00% - 25%

Relocation Provided:
No

Job Posting End Date:
September 6, 2026

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