The ideal candidate will define and lead the category strategy and oversee complex negotiations for plastic packaging. As Senior Manager, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of vendor spend across all our brands. This role combines strategic planning with hands-on execution, requiring you to define business requirements and lead cross-functional negotiations. With global responsibility for subcategory sourcing, you will drive high-impact initiatives within assigned spend areas and manage strategic supplier relationships to efficiently deliver on the category vision.
Key Responsibilities:
- Analyze critical spend across brands to develop a comprehensive category plan and identify strategic sourcing project pipelines within the assigned category.
- Develop and implement an annual category strategy that delivers measurable year-over-year improvements in cost, quality, and alignment with business priorities.
- Leverage the category strategy development and procurement tools to execute defined sourcing initiatives.
- Develop and nurture strong supplier relationships to ensure supply continuity, cost optimization, and ongoing improvement.
- Conduct annual performance reviews with key strategic suppliers, assessing service, quality, ESG, and delivery performance against commitments.
- Collaborate with suppliers to identify and implement innovative solutions that drive growth and enhance brand equity.
- Prepare executive-level presentations to quantify the potential benefits of strategic sourcing projects and document achieved results.
- Lead strategic business reviews with senior executives and key suppliers to ensure supplier performance aligns with contracted obligations and service levels.
Qualifications:
- Over 7 years of business experience, including at least 3 years in supply chain or strategic sourcing; experience in retail, service, multi-outlet food and beverage, or digital and technology industries is highly preferred.
- Postgraduate qualifications (MBA) are highly regarded.
- Demonstrated track record of leadership, business acumen, and strategic thinking with a proven ability to deliver results.
- Expertise in high-level negotiation and advanced analytical problem-solving.
- Proven negotiation skills with a track record of achieving cost savings and delivering value through strategic sourcing and supplier management.
- Knowledge of supply chain risk management principles, including supplier risk assessment, market intelligence, and scenario planning.
- Proficiency in procurement systems and tools such as SAP or similar platforms.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels.
- Strategic mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Deep understanding of sustainable sourcing practices and experience implementing initiatives that promote environmental and social impact.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with experience working in global teams to achieve revenue, profit, and growth objectives.