Senior Procurement Specialist

About the role

Responsible for managing the relationship with Direct and/or Contract Manufacturing spend and categories. This is a hybrid role with Procurement Specialist Support for some categories and full Category Management for others. As a Procurement Specialist, you will act as the key conduit between procurement, category management (both in-market and above-market), and stakeholder management to optimize sourcing, supplier selection, pricing, contracting, and ongoing supplier management. This role taps into global and local sourcing strategies and adapts them for business needs.

You will serve as the key interface and contribute to the development of category strategies, identifying value creation opportunities, and leading cross-functional projects. Additionally, you will drive sustainable resolution of escalated gaps/risks and ensure supply or scope of work challenges from business, supplier, or factory are addressed. Actively engage in cross-functional innovation and ideation to clearly communicate improvement pipelines, marketing trends, sourcing constraints, supply risks, and mitigation strategies as they relate to projects. Serve as point of contact for Oscar projects and KPIs for monthly MORs.

Within Category Management, you will have the unique opportunity to influence business performance through supplier strategy, sourcing optimization, commercial negotiations, contract management, innovation, and risk mitigation. You will help shape the supply base that supports some of the most innovative nutrition brands and products in the industry. We are seeking an individual with a strong combination of strategic thinking, agility, business acumen, and collaboration skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces complexity, challenges the status quo, and is motivated by creating sustainable value for the business.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term Category Sourcing Strategies including activities to minimize risk, financial exposure, and maintain sourcing flexibility to accommodate business needs
• Optimize sourcing, supplier selection, pricing, and ensure most beneficial commercial agreements
• Develop continuous improvement project pipeline to deliver significant year-over-year productivity
• Participate and/or lead regular supplier performance reviews with other functional partners
• Support new products or new technology launches as applicable
• Leverage supplier partnerships in securing innovative technologies
• Support processes (such as tail spend management) with digital, automated, and/or AI platforms
• Manage budget and price forecast review process through relevant tools, cost modeling, and market knowledge
• Provide focus support of manufacturing
• Act as Single Point of Contact for factory escalations and drive sustainable resolutions
• Own OSCAR projects to drive savings, ensure supply, and compliance objectives
• Monitor business goals and help periodically reassess targets
• Ensure information flow between factory teams and Procurement to effectively deliver against business/function strategies
• Seek proactive feedback regarding and enable focus on high value returns
• Understand business requirements and challenges including priorities, must-win battles, and key value drivers; transmit this understanding to category management teams at NIM and Nestrade so category sourcing strategies and priorities are defined accordingly
• Lead Monthly Category Reviews as required
• Represent the Above Market and At Market Procurement Team in Ideas and stakeholders/business requirements as assigned
• Confirm business objectives, challenges, projects, requirements, and expectations are shared with the Category Management Team to help shape strategic planning
• Provide support to stakeholders including but not limited to Supply Chain, CTAG, Quality, and Finance
• Act as the Single Point of Contact for assigned Categories
• Provide insight into Nestlé Pricing and opportunities to increase overall profitability
• Assist in developing strategy for critical items for assigned facilities as required
• Identify local ensure supply risks and develop sustainable mitigation strategies
• Play an active role in sourcing strategies and Business Continuity Planning through participation in key meetings, ensuring right stakeholder engagement, and interactions with local suppliers and category managers where needed
• Identify and ensure implementation of projects to decrease risk of out-of-stock inventory
• Represent projects through the PMP
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required
• Master's Degree or higher preferred
• CPM Certification a plus
• 3+ years purchasing and/or material management experience and/or Technical/manufacturing experience preferred
• SAP, Ariba, and I-Nexus experience preferred
• Required proficiency in Microsoft Suite products, including but not limited to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Skills

• Detail oriented and a self-starter
• Proven ability to analyze and present findings in a clear and cohesive manner
• Ability to work independently to identify and research relevant market, industry, and supplier information
• Capable of navigating through ambiguous situations and managing external vendor relationships
• Ability to develop processes and/or identify continuous improvements to help better coordinate activities
• Exceptional relationship builder and stakeholder manager with the ability to form and grow own networks

Pay

Salary: $82,531.00 to $114,491.00 per year. Bonus eligibility: Yes. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at top of range.

Benefits

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage, and a broad range of other benefits supporting physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position.

Schedule & location

This position will be either a remote or hybrid role based on the selected candidate's geographic location. Strong preference will be given to applicants who live within a commutable distance of Bridgewater, New Jersey; Solon, Ohio; or Arlington, Virginia.

Job Requisition: 424397