The Category Manager will be responsible for developing and communicating procurement strategies that support the business goals in growth, cost savings, risk mitigation, working capital improvement, development of new products, and achievement of plant operating efficiencies.
The Portfolio Will Include The Following Products
Flavor materials that will support Regional Taste as well as other BU’s.
This role will interact directly with BU / Product Line leadership, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, R&D, and Manufacturing Technology to address supply concerns while leading the development and implementation of the procurement strategy. Additionally, this role will be responsible for the management of supplier performance for materials originating in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EAME). The performance management and strategy development will be coordinated with colleagues in other regions to ensure optimal results and efficient implementation.
Role
This role has a high impact on IFF performance and high visibility from IFF leadership. It is expected that the right person in this role will develop into a candidate for senior Category Managers as well as Director level positions.
Provide leadership in setting group goals /objectives for the team.
- Aid in the development of strategies outside his / her immediate responsibility.
- Help develop less senior procurement colleagues with the goal of succession planning.
The key value axis of IFF sourcing strategies is the following:
- Ensure strategic supply resilience while being the ‘customer of first choice’ for our key suppliers.
- Drive cost competitiveness through TCO and cash optimization, with a cross-functional vision.
- Reinforce the IFF sustainability agenda on the category (communities, vertical integration)
- Drive innovations and support business growth through the development of new products and operational efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Develop regional category strategies for assigned categories and sub-categories to ensure raw material supply, manage costs, and capture savings. Implement strategies within the region, driving results and achieving strategic objectives.
- Execute a disciplined application of IFF’s strategic sourcing methodology: Perform continual spend analysis on assigned categories and sub-categories, assess market intelligence, and develop full market analysis. Identify, and approve new vendors to diversify the supply portfolio.
- Understand and apply the principles of SRM within the category and region: Develop new and existing supplier partnerships and collaboration to support growth strategy with innovation and technology, support technology buying by accessing supplier capabilities, and reduce non-value-added suppliers.
- Optimize raw material quality and service: Work with technical teams to accelerate the adoption of alternate products and suppliers.
- Provide continuous impactful communication to stakeholders. Be the advocate of regional spend.
Job Requirements
- Experience in procurement of high-value direct materials and the development of procurement strategies (7- 10 years)
- Bachelor, or master’s degree in business (preferred), Economics, science/engineering, supply chain, or equivalent experience
- Related supply chain experience in the space operating around raw materials, suppliers, supplier relationship management, and supply chain best practices
- Strong knowledge of business practices and financial concepts/impact/analyses
- Strong people skills, project management, and experience in cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Knowledge of ERP (SAP, Oracle.)
- CPSM or SPSM or related certification in supply chain or procurement excellence is a plus.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
