Category Manager - Dairy & Nutritional Ingredients

Abbott Laboratories; Zwolle; On-site; EUR 70.000 - 90.000; Full time

Job summary

A global life sciences company is seeking a Category Manager to oversee sourcing and supply activities for Dairy & Nutritional Ingredients. The successful candidate will develop strategies, manage supplier relationships, and ensure supply continuity. Applicants should have a relevant degree and significant experience in procurement and supplier management. This role offers an international position with growth opportunities and excellent benefits.

Benefits

Excellent primary and secondary benefits

Positive working atmosphere

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 10 years progressively responsible experience in purchasing/commodity management.
• 3 years working in a highly regulated environment.
• Knowledge of Ingredients/food category technologies is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing and supply activities for Nutritional and Dairy Ingredients.
• Develop effective strategies to enable value and execution.
• Negotiate supplier contracts to secure supply consistency.

Skills

Effective communication skills in English

Negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Experience in purchasing/commodity management

Ability to work in a matrixed environment

Organizational and follow-up skills

Education

Bachelor or Master’s degree in relevant field

Job description

Category Manager - Dairy & Nutritional Ingredients

What are your responsibilities and tasks?

In this role, your primary function is to manage the sourcing and supply activities for Nutritional and Dairy Ingredients. You will work closely with key stakeholders (Quality, Manufacturing sites, R&D, and Commercial) in both Corporate and Division organizations to develop effective strategies that enable value and execute these strategies. You will nurture stakeholder relationships by serving as a business partner, helping identify critical business requirements and providing sourcing and procurement solutions that meet expectations. You will leverage extensive market and supplier knowledge to improve the Category Strategy and drive Innovation, Quality, Sustainability, Supply Continuity, and lower Total Cost of Ownership.

You hold responsibility for the following, amongst others:

• Category Management of Dairy & Nutritional Ingredients.

• Contingency planning to anticipate changes in commodity supply over short- and long-term horizons and to quantify and mitigate supply risks.

• Negotiating supplier contracts to secure consistency of supply across the commodities.

• Establishing, managing, and developing relationships (through SRM) with new and existing suppliers worldwide.

• Establishing and submitting financial plans for commodities under responsibility.

• Supporting the effectiveness of Procurement systems and Supplier development programs.

• Identifying and implementing cost improvement opportunities.

To be successful in this role, we look for people who can:

• Proactively identify areas of opportunity for new business, process improvement, and cost efficiencies.

• Provide insight to the business unit on how to best develop and leverage Supplier capabilities for the organization(s).

• Drive and manage supplier performance evaluations with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrate leadership skill for future team lead succession planning.

What kind of background are we looking for?

• Bachelor or Master’s degree (business, supply chain, engineering, food manufacturing) or equivalent experience in ingredient procurement or related field strongly preferred.

• Professional Certifications a plus: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Project Management Professional (PMP).

• Experience with Strategic supplier management, contract negotiations, category strategies, and some functional experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, or related field is essential.

• Knowledge of Ingredients/food category technologies and products and/or deep food ingredients Category experience is a strong advantage.

What kind of skills and personality are we looking for?

• Effective written and oral communication skills in English to facilitate information flows.

• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills to ensure timely and effective solutions.

• 10 years progressively responsible experience in purchasing/commodity management.

• 3 years working in a highly regulated environment.

• Strong experience in negotiating terms in purchasing agreements. In-depth experience in contract management.

• Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment.

• Ability to work within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment.

• Ability to leverage and/or engage others to accomplish projects.

• Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization.

• Multitasks, prioritizes, and meets deadlines in a timely manner.

• Strong organizational and follow-up skills, as well as attention to detail.

• Ability to travel approximately up to 20%, including internationally.

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?

Abbott provides a varied, challenging, and international position in a dynamic and pleasant working environment. In our organization, you can count on excellent primary and secondary benefits, a positive working atmosphere, a personal growth plan, extensive training opportunities, and good career perspective.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Abbott is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants.