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Products & Materials Procurement Manager

Home Job Products & Materials Procurement Manager

Our client is a well-established, internationally recognized consumer products organization with a strong presence across multiple global markets. The company operates through a diversified portfolio of products and channels, serving both consumer and business customers. With a strong commitment to quality, innovation, operational excellence, and responsible business practices, the organization continues to invest in its people, processes, and supply chain capabilities. This is a confidential search for an experienced procurement leader who will play a key role in developing and executing category strategies across the organization.

Position Overview

The Products & Materials Procurement Manager will lead the procurement function for assigned products and materials categories. This position will partner closely with key internal stakeholders to understand business requirements, develop category strategies, optimize supplier performance, and deliver cost, quality, service, and risk-management objectives. The successful candidate will oversee strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, purchasing processes, compliance, and category performance. The role will also provide leadership and development for a team of Strategic Category Buyers. This position reports to the VP of Quality & Procurement and will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities Category Management & Strategy

• Lead the assigned products and materials category portfolio in partnership with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Finance, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop a thorough understanding of business requirements, procurement objectives, budgets, and operational priorities.
• Conduct external market analysis, including industry trends, market dynamics, supplier landscape, competitive environment, pricing, and cost drivers.
• Analyze internal spending patterns, supplier performance, historical purchasing activity, and supplier concentration.
• Conduct category risk assessments and identify potential supply, financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Develop and execute medium- and long-term category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Identify cost optimization and savings opportunities while maintaining quality, service, competitiveness, and supply continuity.
• Establish category priorities, objectives, KPIs, and performance measures.

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including supplier identification, market research, evaluation, selection, and qualification.
• Develop sourcing strategies based on business requirements, product specifications, pricing, packaging, quality, delivery, capacity, and performance expectations.
• Lead negotiations for pricing, commercial terms, contracts, service levels, and other strategic agreements.
• Manage supplier relationships and establish performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Manage the supplier contract lifecycle, including negotiations, renewals, amendments, and termination processes when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers.

Procurement Operations & Compliance

• Oversee Purchase-to-Pay activities within the assigned category.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with established policies, procedures, approval requirements, and procurement priorities.
• Monitor purchase order activity and ensure timely and accurate completion of purchasing processes.
• Review and approve purchase orders within established authorization levels.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and industry standards.
• Monitor regulatory developments related to sourcing, sustainability, labor practices, product safety, and responsible procurement.
• Provide guidance and support in resolving procurement and supplier-related issues.
• Implement preventive and corrective actions when necessary.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Monitor category spending and track budget versus actual performance.
• Identify and communicate cost-saving opportunities and financial risks.
• Develop and report category KPIs and procurement performance metrics.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior management.
• Support financial planning, forecasting, and procurement-related business initiatives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of Strategic Category Buyers.
• Establish clear performance objectives and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Support employee retention, career development, succession planning, and capability building.
• Manage resource planning and allocation to ensure effective execution of procurement priorities.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance procurement culture.
• Partner with global and corporate procurement teams to develop and implement category playbooks, standards, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field.
• MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
• 7+ years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or related leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic procurement categories and supplier relationships.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including understanding of cost structures, working capital, profitability, and budgeting.
• Proven negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience working with ERP and/or MRP systems.
• Strong strategic sourcing and supplier management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive measurable changes in purchasing behavior.
• Experience negotiating and managing complex long-term contracts and strategic commercial agreements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior leadership.
• Strong judgment and decision-making capabilities when working with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across functions, business units, and levels of management.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing procurement professionals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within a large, multinational, consumer products, manufacturing, food & beverage, or related organization.
• Experience managing global or multi-region supplier networks.
• Experience developing category management strategies and procurement playbooks.
• Strong understanding of supply market intelligence and cost analysis.
• Experience implementing procurement transformation or continuous improvement initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Hybrid work environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Performance development programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discount programs
• Flexible business-casual work environment
• Paid time off and company holidays

Confidential Search

This position is being conducted as a confidential search. Additional information regarding the organization, compensation structure, and complete benefits package will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to