Category Procurement Manager

Job summary
Category Procurement ManagerLocation: Beloit, WIKerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Job seniority: mid-to-senior level
Responsibilities
• Directly responsible for the procurement and risk management of commodity categories with an annual spend of approximately $100MM• Sets strategy and leads category sourcing activities in the America's Region• Analyzes market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability/price, and prepares market analysis reports.• Oversees all activities related to procurement of a material, from intent to purchase through delivery of the material• Monitors procurement reporting systems to meet company requirements.• Vendor selection and negotiation process for regional vendors• Recruits and maintains suppliers that provide high quality products and services at a better price while maintaining the highest code of ethics and conduct.• Negotiates complex requests for materials.• Works day-to-day with the other functions in the region on implementation of category sourcing initiatives• Reviews and resolves vendor claims and contracts for conformance to company policy
Requirements
• 10+ years of food industry and buying experience• Dairy, Vegetable Oils, sweeteners, or/and Commodities purchasing and risk management experience required• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Economics, Business, Finance, Economics, or Food Science are desirable• MBA or MS degrees are desirable• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time• Strong communication skills; successful candidate will work with Kerry co-workers in multiple functions and locations as well as outside vendors.• Problem-solving and analytical skills• Basic understanding of purchasing and supply chain mgmt.• Ability to comply with existing/quickly adapt to new processes within the organization• Able to work in a dual reporting matrix and in virtual teams• Able to get buy-in and commitment from stakeholders
Key Skills Needed
• Strong communication skills• Problem-solving and analytical skills• Basic understanding of purchasing and supply chain mgmt.