About the role
At The Coca-Cola Company, sourcing the highest-quality ingredients is at the heart of delivering beverages that consumers trust and enjoy every day. As our portfolio and supply chain evolve, the ability to manage ingredient categories with precision and agility is essential to sustaining operational excellence and business growth.
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
Compliance
Location(s):
Ireland
City/Cities:
Ballina
Travel Required:
00% - 25%
Relocation Provided:
No
Job Posting End Date:
September 6, 2026
Our Purpose and Growth Culture:
We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what's possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors - curious, empowered, inclusive and agile - and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.