Category Manager - Generalist

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Surprise. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

The Category Sourcing Manager's primary responsibilities include driving strategic procurement activities, evaluating existing and new suppliers, negotiating supplier contracts and managing supplier relationships within their assigned categories. Under the direction of the Head of General Procurement for North America, will be responsible for implementing General Purchasing best practices within North America Area.

Essential Accountabilities:

This individual will support multiple categories from defining the category strartegy to follow up with the implementation.

* Define, recommend, and execute short, medium, and long term plans to deliver continuous improvement and value in cost, service, working capital, innovation, and processes while maintaining compliance with company guidelines

* Support regionalization efforts through spend consolidation, regional initiatives, supplier evaluations, and supplier consolidation.

* Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure maximum value while taking into consideration TCO (total cost of ownership), service, and quality

* Lead supplier segmentation, rate card, contract negotiations, etc for assigned categories.

* Manage relationship with suppliers (Financial stability, KPI's, Business review, SLA compliance...) to that generate value for both Ferrero and the suppliers over time

* Analyze and monitor market trends, supplier landscape and innovation/trends for respective categories

* Ensure proper alignment with internal customers on business needs

* Manage and maintain contract coverage inclusive of measuring and improving their utilization

* Track and monitor efficiencies reached on categories managed (cash impact, global supply impact...) to deliver the company objectives for year to year improvement

* Support Purchase Order Management and Vendor Data Management activities as required

* Strong connection, partnership, collaboration with the central team in executing/supporting strategic sourcing activities for categories assigned

* Implement and ensure compliance of Group/Local Policies and Procedures and ensure Process Governance

• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement
• Mastery of purchasing techniques: 7 steps process, procurement category management, vendor segmentation, negotiating skills, RFI, RFQ, budgeting, market analysis, risk management, price management
• Strong knowledge of advanced analysis in Excel (eg. vlookup, pivot tables, etc.)
• Knowledge of SAP and SAP Ariba is preferred
• Experience in a cross cultural/international organization is preferred; CPG or consulting background preferred
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree (Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, Legal or similar)
• Professional Certification (CPM, CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, CIPS, and similar) is preferred
• Able to effectively communicate and to implement change with internal budget owners, peers, senior management and suppliers.
• Ability to work under pressure; multi-tasker; manages time effectively.
• Highly strategic and able to jump on multiple projects.
• Strong organization and projects management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving and analytical skills. Strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel <20%

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you'll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

#FNA

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.