Group Category Manager Business Services

Lindt & Sprüngli; Kilchberg; Hybrid; CHF 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt & Sprüngli is seeking a Group Category Manager Business Services to drive strategic procurement at global and European levels. You will define sourcing strategies across major spend categories including IT and consulting, while leading value-delivery initiatives and master service agreements with Group Legal support.

Based in a Swiss context, the role offers international exposure and interaction with local procurement teams to ensure alignment and performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in global/regional procurement, preferably FMCG/food.
• Experience leading regional/global sourcing across IT, consulting, HR, insurances.
• Proven ability to negotiate master service agreements and collaborate with legal.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement sourcing strategies across major spend categories.
• Develop multi-year value delivery initiatives with cost reductions.
• Establish strong stakeholder relationships at central and local levels.
• Lead decentralised sourcing projects with a transparent, data-driven approach.
• Organise cross-country and cross-functional workshops and align with local teams.

Skills

Procurement

Indirect procurement

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Project management

Sourcing strategies

Education

University degree in business / procurement

Tools

Sievo

Coupa

Job description

Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 180 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate category. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 620 of its own stores as well as via a network of around 100 distributors around the globe. With around 15,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025. Our commitment to contributing to a sustainable tomorrow is a key element driving the company's actions and ambitions. Since 2008, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has been our Responsible Sourcing Standard for cocoa.

For our Group Procurement Team, we are looking for a:

Group Category Manager Business Services

Unique opportunity to further develop strategic procurement in Business Services at global and European level, defining and executing sourcing strategies and initiatives across all major spend categories (IT, Consulting, Retail materials and services HR, Insurances).

This role offers career development opportunities in an international context.

Activities & Responsibilities

• Work with Head Group Indirect Procurement and relevant Group and local functions, to define and implement sourcing strategies across the key categories in scope, (i.e. IT Hardware & Software, Consulting, Retail materials and services, HR, Insurances), focusing on large Group suppliers.
• Define and implement a multi-year pipeline of value delivery initiatives across the key categories in scope, with the target of generating significant year-on-year value for the Group, without compromising on quality or service level
• Establish strong relationships with key stakeholders across the relevant functions, promoting and demonstrating the value of Indirect Procurement in their areas
• Provide ad-hoc support and guidance for headquarter-related sizeable sourcing projects within Business Services, also outside of the major spend categories
• Design and negotiate master service agreements, in collaboration with the Group Legal department, establishing best-in-class commercial models in contracts
• Establish alignment with relevant local procurement teams on Group value delivery initiatives, as well as a clear collaboration model by category and initiative
• Regularly exchange with local procurement teams, fostering best practice sharing in relation to categories in scope
• Provide insights into the latest regional / global market developments for the major spend categories
• Ensure relevant templates and tools are in place for all major categories and available for all Group and local stakeholders
• Use e-sourcing tools or advanced sourcing solutions whenever appropriate
• Organize and facilitate cross-country / cross-functional workshops and meetings

Experience

• 5+ years of professional experience in a global / regional procurement organization, preferably within FMCG or food industry. Prior consultancy experience of advantage.
• Consolidated procurement experience in indirect procurement, with solid experience in leading regional / global sourcing projects across some of the key categories in scope, i.e. IT, Consulting, Retail materials and services, HR, Insurances
• Experience in complex negotiations with senior stakeholders, as well as in defining and negotiating different commercial models within the categories in scope
• Successful track record of designing and implementing sourcing strategies in a decentralised organisation, delivering sustainable year-on-year cost reductions without compromising service level
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams on a change journey with discipline, transparency and authenticity
• Strong project management experience and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Experience in structuring and negotiating master service agreements, in collaboration with the Legal department
• Strong stakeholder management experience; obtaining buy-in from central as well as local senior stakeholders is critical for being successful in this position
• Experience in e-sourcing and other advanced sourcing tools like Sievo and Coupa relevant for the categories in scope

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• University degree in business / procurement or related fields
• Languages: fluent spoken and written English at business level; German, Italian or French - written & spoken - of advantage

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with key stakeholders in multiple locations
• Strong negotiation skills
• Working with teams across several nationalities and cultures
• Down-to-earth work attitude, hands-on mentality
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Business and financial acumen
• Excellent social & communication skills

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited applications or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any CVs submitted without a prior written agreement and assignment will be considered the property of the company, and no fees will be payable.