Category Manager

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Category Manager operates in full compliance with applicable hygiene, safety, quality, and regulatory standards, and in alignment with the organization’s framework, company’s procedures, and the defined scope of responsibility the role is accountable for.

This position is accountable for the procurement activities for their assigned commodity and participates in the entire Procurement process for Suppliers’ quality and delivery cost optimization. As a member of the Procurement team, this position is responsible for defining globally the category strategy and establishing and executing the multi-year Procurement vision. This employee will engage the supply base to bring unique solutions that provide long term value beyond traditional cost savings.

The Category Manager is the key point of contact for the Center of Expertise Packaging and works strategically across multiple business functions and geographies to define all stakeholder needs, Plant best practices, and ideal suppliers. This position is the escalation point for the Raleigh site related to any quality, delivery, and/or cost issues. The scope of this role includes all types of procurement for any assigned category related to the plant and supply chain activities linked to the direct material.

YOUR ROLE

• Establish and execute the multi-year category strategy; working cross functionally to support stakeholders on QDCR aspects.
• Create strategic relationships with key suppliers to drive innovation and improve value.
• Interact with other Corporate & Site Procurement functions to support stakeholders’ needs.
• Create the strategy and manage the transition of key suppliers to cost advantaged countries.
• Support Global Procurement teams as category SME, directly interfacing with supply base.
• Work with internal stakeholders and identify/achieve finalized procurement targets.
• Ensure all behaviors and supplier behaviors are compliant to the Guerbet Ethics and Policies.
• Provide budgetary guidance to the business and is responsible for providing meaningful category intelligence (industry movement, trends, SWOT, etc.).
• Prepare, maintain and actively execute the Savings plan (pipeline of productivity) for their assigned categories.
• For procurement decisions, leads the Supplier Selection through to Contract execution.
• Lead the identification of long-term continuous improvement action plans and productivity pipeline prior to hand over to the Site Purchasing.
• Position will, at times travel approximately 20% of the time.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

YOUR BACKGROUND

• Required Qualifications:
• 5-8 years of procurement experience across multiple direct material categories and/or commensurate Suppliers experience with a high supplier interaction level.
• Strong experience in manufacturing environments / plants.
• Proven experience managing suppliers in cost-advantaged regions.
• Demonstrated experience as a creative and strategic thought leader.
• Results oriented, experienced managing multiple deadlines and deliverables.

• Preferred Qualifications:
• Comfortable and capable of using software programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and a willingness to expand and increase these competencies.
• Writing and Verbal skills necessary to effectively communicate technical information to others.
• Comfortable working and solving problems in ambiguous situations.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with and report to a manager not based locally.
• SAP experience.