Senior Category Manager Procurement

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Role Overview:
Responsible for overseeing the procurement and strategic sourcing of commodities essential to production and supply chain operations. This role requires the development and execution of strategies to optimize commodity procurement, manage commodity risk and supplier relationships, and ensure cost-effective and efficient supply chain solutions. The Senior Manager will lead cross-functional teams to align commodity procurement strategies with organizational goals, drive continuous improvement, implement strategies to achieve sustainability goals and mitigate supply chain risks.

Responsibilities:

1. Category Management Development: this role leads the development and implementation of long-term procurement strategies, contract negotiations, risk management solutions, stakeholder management optimization, and supplier value creation. Leverages the Category Management Process to develop breakthrough strategies which optimize value and ensure appropriate risk management. Lead the collaboration with Supply Chain, R&D, and other appropriate departments to identify and lead innovation sourcing and continuous improvement.

2. Supplier Relationship Management - Build strong external partnerships to deliver the business objectives and create a competitive advantage. Negotiate supply agreements / contracts with suppliers. Create and maintain documentation (including but not limited to: continuity plans, supplier segmentation, supplier scorecards).

3. Commodity Management: Develop risk management strategies including but not limited to the use of futures & derivative tools that ensure price visibility, volatility reduction and market competitiveness. Understand and articulate supply/demand, cost drivers, competing industries, supplier options, regulatory environment, and ensure our sourcing strategies support our current and future needs.

4. Financial Management: Owns the delivery of the financial targets including but not limited to annual spend, cost savings, and cash flow. Leverages market knowledge, operational insights, cost modelling and data analysis to gain critical insights that drive Sourcing Strategies and continuous improvement activities.

5. People Manager - Manage a team of 0-4 procurement leads. Provide development opportunities, coaching, training, and competency building.

Qualifications:

• Solid personal presence with the ability to interact with confidence and credibility at all levels of the organization.

• Build and maintain strategic alliances and other high level contractual relationships.

• Ability to review, comprehend and negotiate with impact, complex purchase agreements/contracts.

• Knowledge of varied and complex supply markets as well as world economics and currencies and its impact on the business.

• Ability to analyze and screen suppliers for financial, supply, and service capabilities.

• Knowledge of category management and supplier relationships management principles and techniques.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills. Able to effectively build and manage relationships. Seeks feedback, input, and strives for excellence.

• Translates information and data into recommendations and actions.

Experience & Education:
Masters Degree or 5-12 years experience with Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Economics or related field of study, or equivalent, required