What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investments & Services Strategic Buyer position at Lavazza Group?
About The Group
From a small store in Turin to a large, internationally recognized group: we are present in 90 countries around the world, with over 5,000 employees and 30 companies, managed directly and indirectly by the Luigi Lavazza Spa parent company, which distribute and market our products and coffee machines. In addition to Lavazza, the following brands are also part of our Group: Carte Noire, Merrild, Kicking Horse, Eraclea and Whittington tea.
Joining Lavazza means doing business with passion, knowing that the impact of our work goes beyond the quality of the production chain. We are a big family and are constantly looking for new talents who share our values and can enrich our team. We combine competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility as we create superior quality products available for consumption both at home and out of home, and distributed through all channels: Retail, Foodservice, Office Coffee Service (OCS), and Vending. Our strong, diversified presence enables us to offer consumers and clients perfectly suited solutions, for any occasion and time of day.
Job Overview
The Strategic Buyer - Investments & Services is responsible for leading sourcing and procurement activities across key indirect spend categories including General Services, Professional Services, Knowledge-Based Services, and Technologies. This role supports Lavazza’s business objectives by developing category strategies, optimizing supplier performance, managing costs, mitigating risk, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality goods and services across the organization.
The Strategic Buyer partners closely with internal stakeholders including Finance, IT, HR, Operations, Marketing, Legal, and Facilities to understand business needs, translate requirements into sourcing strategies, and execute competitive procurement processes. This role also manages supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and continuous improvement initiatives to maximize value while ensuring compliance with company policies and procurement standards.
This position requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, and the ability to collaborate effectively across a global and matrixed organization.
Location: West Chester, PA
Work model: Hybrid
Travel: Up to 25% travel may be required within the United States and internationally
#westchester
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
Lavazza prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
From a small store in Turin to a large, internationally recognized group: we are present in 90 countries around the world, with over 5,000 employees and 30 companies, managed directly and indirectly by the Luigi Lavazza Spa parent company, which distribute and market our products and coffee machines. In addition to Lavazza, the following brands are also part of our Group: Carte Noire, Merrild, Kicking Horse, Eraclea and Whittington tea.
Joining Lavazza means doing business with passion, knowing that the impact of our work goes beyond the quality of the production chain. We are a big family and are constantly looking for new talents who share our values and can enrich our team. We combine competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility as we create superior quality products available for consumption both at home and out of home, and distributed through all channels: Retail, Foodservice, Office Coffee Service (OCS), and Vending. Our strong, diversified presence enables us to offer consumers and clients perfectly suited solutions, for any occasion and time of day.
Job Overview
The Strategic Buyer - Investments & Services is responsible for leading sourcing and procurement activities across key indirect spend categories including General Services, Professional Services, Knowledge-Based Services, and Technologies. This role supports Lavazza’s business objectives by developing category strategies, optimizing supplier performance, managing costs, mitigating risk, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality goods and services across the organization.
The Strategic Buyer partners closely with internal stakeholders including Finance, IT, HR, Operations, Marketing, Legal, and Facilities to understand business needs, translate requirements into sourcing strategies, and execute competitive procurement processes. This role also manages supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and continuous improvement initiatives to maximize value while ensuring compliance with company policies and procurement standards.
This position requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, and the ability to collaborate effectively across a global and matrixed organization.
Location: West Chester, PA
Work model: Hybrid
Travel: Up to 25% travel may be required within the United States and internationally
#westchester
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned indirect spend categories including:
- General Services (facilities, utilities, travel, temporary labor, security, waste management, etc.)
- Professional / Knowledge Services (consulting, training, market research, legal support, recruitment, external expertise, etc.)
- Technologies (IT hardware, software, SaaS, telecom, digital tools, systems support, technology services, etc.)
- Analyze category spend, supplier markets, business demand, and cost drivers to identify savings and value creation opportunities.
- Lead RFx processes including RFI, RFP, RFQ, bid evaluations, supplier selection, and recommendation development.
- Build multi-year category roadmaps aligned with business priorities and procurement goals.
- Manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure service quality, performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Conduct supplier business reviews and KPI performance meetings.
- Monitor supplier risk, capacity, service levels, and compliance requirements.
- Develop supplier partnerships that support Lavazza’s growth, sustainability, and operational excellence objectives.
- Lead commercial negotiations for pricing, service levels, terms and conditions, renewals, and total cost optimization.
- Partner with Legal and internal stakeholders to draft, review, and finalize contracts.
- Ensure agreements include measurable deliverables, SLA expectations, and appropriate risk protections.
- Maintain contract documentation and renewal calendars.
- Collaborate with internal business leaders to understand operational needs, project requirements, and future demand.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders on procurement best practices, supplier options, market trends, and sourcing opportunities.
- Balance cost savings objectives with quality, service continuity, innovation, and speed to market.
- Support budget planning by providing market intelligence and cost forecasts.
- Deliver annual savings, cost avoidance, and working budget targets for assigned categories.
- Track procurement KPIs including savings, supplier performance, contract compliance, and sourcing cycle times.
- Prepare spend reports, business cases, and sourcing recommendations for leadership review.
- Identify process efficiencies and standardization opportunities within indirect procurement.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, and approval processes.
- Support supplier diversity, sustainability, and ESG initiatives where applicable.
- Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes, tools, templates, and supplier management practices.
- Maintain strong documentation and audit readiness for assigned spend categories.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Economics, Procurement, or related field.
- 2-4 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or purchasing experience, preferably in indirect categories.
- Experience sourcing one or more of the following: professional services, facilities services, IT/technology, consulting, travel, or outsourced services.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects simultaneously.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using spend data and market insights to drive decisions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and ERP/procurement systems.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Competitive Medical, Vision, Dental Benefits
- 401K Package
- Employee Assistance Program
- Hybrid Work Schedule
- Ability to be barista certified
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Performance Development Plans
- Employee Discounts
- Summer Friday’s (Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend)
- Flexible business casual dress code - jean friendly!
- Free coffee, anytime!
Lavazza prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.