Category Manager, LATAM, Raw Materials

IFF; Ciudad de México; Hybrid; MXN 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF, a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, seeks a senior procurement professional to drive LATAM strategic sourcing for Raw Materials across Agricultural Crops, Grains & Sweeteners, Hydrocolloids, and Savory categories. Hybrid work based in Polanco and Azcapotzalco.

The role partners with Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Regulatory and Commercial teams to align procurement strategies with business priorities, leads negotiations and supplier

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Supply Chain Management or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of procurement, strategic sourcing or category management experience.
• Proven experience managing raw material categories in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, chemicals, consumer goods or similar industries.
• Strong strategic sourcing and category management capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex supplier and commercial negotiations.
• Strong business acumen with ability to link sourcing to business objectives.
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in regional or multinational environments across multiple countries.
• Knowledge of ERP systems; SAP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for Raw Materials in LATAM across Agricultural Crops, Grains & Sweeteners, Hydrocolloids, Savory and related categories.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and contracting activities to maximize value while ensuring supply security.
• Drive productivity and growth initiatives through strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Identify and implement alternative materials and supplier solutions to support innovation and efficiency.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships to improve performance and long-term value.
• Monitor market trends, cost drivers, supply risks and industry developments to support sourcing decisions.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Regulatory and Commercial teams to align procurement strategies with priorities.
• Lead supplier development and qualification initiatives to expand sourcing capabilities and reduce risk.
• Contribute to regional and global procurement programs that enhance category performance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiations

Supplier relationship mgmt

Category management

English proficiency

SAP

Cross-functional collaboration

Food ingredients knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Supply Chain Management

Tools

SAP

Job description

Are you ready to drive strategic sourcing initiatives that fuel business growth and competitiveness across Latin America?

We kindly ask you to attach your resume in English.

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Global Operations: Ensuring excellence in execution—from procurement to supply chain and reliability—delivering quality, safety, efficiency and sustainability across the value chain.

The role is based in Polanco & Azcapotzalco (hybrid). Be part of a strategic, collaborative, customer-focused team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for Raw Materials categories across LATAM, including Agricultural Crops, Grains & Sweeteners, Hydrocolloids, Savory and related categories.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and contracting activities to maximize value while ensuring supply security.
• Drive productivity, competitiveness and business growth initiatives through strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Identify, evaluate and implement alternative raw materials and supplier solutions that support innovation and operational efficiency.
• Develop and strengthen strategic supplier partnerships to improve performance, innovation and long-term value creation.
• Monitor market trends, cost drivers, supply risks and industry developments to proactively support sourcing decisions.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Regulatory and Commercial teams to align procurement strategies with business priorities.
• Lead supplier development and qualification initiatives to expand sourcing capabilities and reduce supply risk.
• Contribute to regional and global procurement programs that enhance category performance and create sustainable competitive advantage.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of procurement, strategic sourcing or category management experience.
• Proven experience managing raw material categories within the food ingredients, flavors, fragrances, chemical, consumer goods or similar industries.
• Strong strategic sourcing and category management capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex supplier and commercial negotiations.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect sourcing decisions to broader business objectives.
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience working within a regional or multinational environment across multiple countries.
• Knowledge of ERP systems; SAP experience is preferred.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Experience within flavors, fragrances, food ingredients or closely related manufacturing industries.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to work with agility in a dynamic business environment.

Why Choose Us?

• Opportunity to influence strategic sourcing decisions across Latin America.
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of critical raw material categories.
• Collaborative environment with strong cross-functional engagement.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to innovation, business growth and competitiveness projects.
• Learning and development opportunities within a global organization.
• Career growth within a market-leading company focused on innovation and sustainability.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more