Hybrid NA Category Manager: Grains & Raw Materials

IFF; Ciudad de México; Hybrid; MXN 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF is seeking a senior procurement leader to shape regional sourcing strategies, ensure supply continuity, and drive cost efficiency across North America. This hybrid role in Polanco & Azcapotzalco partners with Operations, Finance, Legal, and R&D to navigate market dynamics and contingency planning.

You will develop category plans for grains and other materials, leverage spend analysis and market intelligence, and build strong supplier relationships to unlock value.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of procurement experience managing high-value direct materials and developing sourcing strategies.
• 7+ years of supply chain experience involving raw materials, supplier management, and procurement best practices.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cost management principles.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting recommendations and business cases to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional category strategies for grains, starches and derivatives, soy, sweeteners, and other strategic raw materials across the North America market.
• Ensure supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and sustainable sourcing practices while delivering measurable business value.
• Apply IFF's strategic sourcing methodology through spend analysis, market intelligence, supplier assessment, and portfolio diversification initiatives.
• Develop and maintain commodity market analyses, should-cost models, supplier cost breakdowns, and pricing strategies to support sourcing and budgeting decisions.
• Build and strengthen strategic supplier relationships, driving collaboration, innovation, and technology-enabled solutions.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Planning, Manufacturing Technology, Research & Development, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain teams to resolve critical supply challenges and implement contingency plans.
• Own category contributions to annual budgets, forecasts, productivity plans, and savings pipelines, communicating financial impacts to key stakeholders.
• Lead supplier business reviews, executive escalations, and strategic relationship plans for critical suppliers across North America.
• Provide leadership within Procurement by supporting team development, succession planning, and cross-category strategic initiatives

Skills

Procurement strategy

Supply chain experience

Supplier management

Cross-functional leadership

Financial analysis

ERP (SAP/Oracle)

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Science, Engineering

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

IFF is seeking a senior procurement leader to shape regional sourcing strategies, ensure supply continuity, and drive cost efficiency across North America. This hybrid role in Polanco & Azcapotzalco partners with Operations, Finance, Legal, and R&D to navigate market dynamics and contingency planning.

You will develop category plans for grains and other materials, leverage spend analysis and market intelligence, and build strong supplier relationships to unlock value.