Procurement Optimization Project Manager

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If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, Nestle is the place for you. Nestle USA is one of seven operating companies that make up Nestle's presence in the United States. We're in 97% of American homes, and as the leading food and beverage company, our goals are to continue to deliver quality food and beverage products, strengthen our local communities, and reduce our environmental and climate impact.

We're determined to challenge the status quo and be better tomorrow than we are today. As individuals and teams, we embrace our entrepreneurial culture and have created a workplace where collaboration is essential, courage is rewarded, speed is expected, and agility is the norm to delight our consumers every single day. Here, you will find limitless opportunities to learn and advance your career and feel empowered to succeed in the workplace and beyond. Because our focus is not only on nourishing our customers, but also about enriching you.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Are you a skilled project manager with a strong understanding of procurement methodologies? We are seeking a Procurement Optimization Project Manager who will lead and manage the end-to-end process of optimizing procurement practices within our organization. In this role, you will identify areas for improvement, implement strategic solutions, and drive transformational change to enhance sourcing, supplier relationships, and cost-effectiveness. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage measurement systems to track project progress, and provide regular updates to senior management. If you have strong project management, leadership, and communication skills, along with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions, we want to hear from you. Join us in driving operational excellence and achieving cost savings through procurement optimization.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Procurement Optimization Project Manager focused will be responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end process of optimizing procurement practices within the organization. This role involves identifying areas for improvement, implementing strategic solutions, and driving transformational change to enhance sourcing, supplier relationships, and cost-effectiveness. The Project Manager applies project management tools and skills to ensure the successful execution of projects from scope approval to close.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design, planning, and execution of procurement optimization initiatives to achieve operational excellence, transformational change, and cost savings.
• Conduct thorough analysis of current procurement processes, identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including sourcing, finance, supply chain, and IT, to gather insights, align objectives, and implement best practices.
• Create and manage measurement systems to track project progress, including timeline/milestone tracking, issue/risk log tracking, and benefits/KPI tracking against the business case.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on project status, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new processes and procedures across the organization, balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Act as a coach to executives and leaders who are change sponsors and champions, collaborating on change management communication plans and engaging end users throughout the project.
• Conduct market research and supplier evaluations to identify potential strategic partners aligned with company goals and values.
• Stay current with industry trends, regulations, and best practices in procurement to proactively identify opportunities for innovation.
• Implement technology solutions or tools, such as e-procurement systems, data analytics, and automation, to enhance procurement processes.

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Formal training or certification in project management is strongly desired.
• Professional certification such as CPSM or PMP is desirable.
• 7+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, with a focus on project management and process optimization.

EXPERIENCE:

• Strong understanding of procurement methodologies, best practices, and industry standards.
• Experience successfully managing multiple functional and technical projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across broad audiences, including senior-level stakeholders.
• Ability to link strategy to actionable initiatives and set clear expectations for cross-functional teams.
• Ability to handle ambiguous and volatile project requirements and lead teams in a matrix organization.
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills, with an analytical mindset to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Change management expertise to lead teams through process changes and drive successful adoption.
• Proficiency in using procurement software and tools, with experience in e-procurement systems and data analytics platforms being a plus.
• Availability for travel.

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It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestle. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestle home.

The Nestle Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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