Group Category Manager - Dairy & Protein

ARYZTA Group; Cham; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ARYZTA Group seeks a Group Category Manager – Dairy & Protein to shape the global sourcing strategy for two critical categories. You will own the category strategy from market analysis to contracting, working with Procurement, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance to build resilient partnerships and drive sustained value across the organization.

Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing, monitor market dynamics, and negotiate with suppliers to deliver cost, quality, innovation and risk management.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years in strategic procurement or category management.
• Experience in dairy and/or protein markets is preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies.
• Strong negotiation and contracting experience.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams across geographies.

Responsibilities

• Own the category strategy for Dairy & Protein globally.
• Turn market insights into sourcing roadmaps and recommendations.
• Lead end-to-end RFx processes, supplier selection and contracting.
• Build strategic supplier relationships and drive value creation.
• Identify and realise savings, manage inflation and optimize portfolios.
• Ensure supply continuity, risk management and governance compliance.
• Drive implementation of global agreements across units and sites.
• Coach stakeholders and lead cross-functional project teams.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Stakeholder leadership

Market analysis

Negotiation

Forecasting & roadmaps

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Supply Chain/Food Science/Engineering

Master's degree (advantage)

Tools

SAP

GEP

Job description

Are you ready to shape the global sourcing strategy for two business-critical categories? As our Group Category Manager – Dairy & Protein, you will combine deep market insight, commercial acumen and strong stakeholder leadership to create sustainable value across our international organisation.

You will take ownership of the Dairy & Protein category strategy—from market analysis and supplier innovation to negotiation, contracting and implementation. Working closely with Procurement Colleagues, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance, you will build resilient supply partnerships, unlock value and help bring great bakery products to customers around the world.

Category scope:

• Dairy: various milk derivatives; milk powders, cheese across different types/formats and a broad range of other milk derivatives used in bakery applications.
• Protein: primarily processed meat products, such as scalded sausages, hams, bacon etc.. as well as egg products such as liquid egg and egg powders

What you will do

• Own the category strategy: Develop and execute global Dairy & Protein sourcing strategies aligned with business priorities and procurement goals.
• Turn market insight into action: Monitor commodity markets, cost drivers, supply dynamics and emerging trends; translate insights into sourcing roadmaps, forecasts and recommendations.
• Lead strategic sourcing: Manage end-to-end RFx processes, supplier selection, negotiations and contracting, with a focus on total value across cost, quality, innovation, sustainability and risk.
• Build resilient partnerships: Develop strategic supplier relationships, lead business reviews and performance improvement plans, and drive joint innovation and value-creation initiatives.
• Deliver measurable impact: Identify and realise savings, mitigate inflation, optimise the supplier portfolio and strengthen working-capital performance.
• Manage risk and compliance: Ensure supply continuity, robust contingency planning, ethical sourcing and compliance with procurement governance and contracting standards.
• Drive implementation: Ensure global agreements and category initiatives are adopted across business units, sites and geographies.
• Lead across boundaries: Guide category teams, local procurement colleagues and cross-functional project members; coach stakeholders and build procurement capability.

What you bring

• A university degree in Business, Supply Chain, Food Science, Engineering or a related field; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in strategic procurement or category management, preferably within food, ingredients, FMCG or a manufacturing environment.
• Good knowledge of Dairy and/or Protein markets, including key cost drivers, supply dynamics and the supplier landscape.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing category strategies and managing sourcing projects in a regional or international setting.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and project-management skills, with practical experience in supplier selection and contracting.
• The confidence to collaborate with and influence stakeholders across different functions, cultures and geographies.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams or projects; initial coaching or functional leadership experience is an advantage.
• Very good Excel skills and experience with procurement or ERP systems; knowledge of SAP, GEP or analytics dashboards is an advantage.
• Fluent English; German or another European language is an advantage.

How you will make a difference

Your success will be visible in sustainable savings, inflation mitigation, contract coverage and compliance, supplier performance, innovation contributions and the effective local implementation of global strategies. Just as importantly, you will strengthen collaboration and procurement capability across our network.

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of strategically important categories in an international environment. You will work at the intersection of markets, innovation, operations and commercial strategy—supported by a collaborative procurement network and with the scope to create impact across the business.

This role is located in Cham (Switzerland).