Manager Direct Materials Category Procurement (Labels & Emerging Categories)

Philip Morris International; Lausanne; Hybrid; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Philip Morris International in Lausanne offers a Category Leader role in Direct Materials procurement. You will own the Plastics and Emerging Materials categories, define roadmaps, and ensure regional and global execution with daily interactions with colleagues and global vendors.

Lead RFQs, contract negotiations, capacity planning, and NPI readiness while driving supplier performance, cost savings, and procurement excellence across the region in a dynamic FMCG environment.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years in Procurement or related roles within FMCG or manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with NPI, contract execution, supplier management, and capacity planning.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes and supplier qualification.
• Experience with quality management processes (NCR, QBR, supplier audits).

Responsibilities

• Support category strategy through market analysis and supplier insights.
• Deploy sourcing strategies, manage supplier capacity and continuity of supply.
• Lead RFQs, analyse proposals, and support negotiations and SLA management.
• Drive supplier performance, quality improvements, risk mitigation and relationships.
• Deliver cost savings and productivity initiatives through procurement improvements.
• Support NPI projects, including supplier readiness and capacity planning.
• Manage supply chain escalations and coordinate cross-functional resolution.
• Promote standardisation and continuous improvement in procurement excellence.

Skills

Strategic vision

Category strategy

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Supplier management

Capacity planning

NPI experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Procurement systems knowledge

Job description

Working Pattern: Hybrid, 3 days per week in office

At PMI, we’ve chosen to do something incredible. We’ve transformed our business and are building our future on one clear purpose—to deliver a smoke-free future.

With huge change comes huge opportunity. So, wherever you join us, you’ll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly different directions.

Our Direct Materials (DIM) Procurement team is searching for a Category Leader to take ownership of the Plastics and Emerging Materials categories.

You will define roadmaps while ensuring regional and global execution, bridging the gap between strategic management and operational execution through daily interactions with colleagues and global vendors while overseeing contract and capacity management in this broad and highly impactful role!

Impact You’ll Own

Ensure flawless deployment of category strategies and deliver operational excellence across supplier management, contract execution, productivity, and NPI support.

What You’ll Do

• Support category strategy through market analysis, supplier insight, and regional business recommendations.
• Deploy sourcing strategies and contracts, managing supplier capacity, resilience, and continuity of supply.
• Lead RFQs, analyse commercial proposals, and support supplier negotiations and SLA management.
• Drive supplier performance, quality improvements, risk mitigation, and strategic supplier relationships.
• Deliver cost savings and productivity initiatives through supplier, material, and process optimisation.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) projects, including supplier readiness, capacity planning, and commercial execution.
• Manage supply chain escalations and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to resolve operational issues.
• Champion process standardisation, continuous improvement, and procurement excellence across the region.

Skills & Capabilities

• 3–6 years in Procurement (Direct Materials preferred), Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or Quality roles, within FMCG, packaging, or manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with NPI, contract execution, supplier management, and capacity planning; with solid exposure to cross-functional project and team environments
• Strong operational knowledge of procurement processes and systems is essential (contract management and execution, vendor qualification, capacity management and demand planning, etc).
• Understanding of quality management processes (NCR, QBR, supplier audits)

Core Skills

• Strategic vision and definition, with financial and business acumen to execute globally
• Category Strategy Development, Strategic Sourcing, Cost Optimisation
• Contract Negotiation and Supplier Relationship Management
• Familiarity and evidence of AI use cases

Equal Opportunities Statement

We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences make us stronger. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to creating a workplace where every individual feels welcomed, respected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure an accessible recruitment process. If you need support or adjustments during your application, let us know—we’re here to help you succeed.