Strategic Category Manager - Food & Beverage (Remote)

Manila Recruitment Limited; Philippines; Remote; PHP 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Manila Recruitment is seeking a Category Manager for the Philippines to lead procurement across local categories. You will develop strategic sourcing plans, onboard suppliers, and negotiate contracts to drive cost savings while ensuring compliance and supplier performance.

You will collaborate with regional teams on forecasting, risk management, and commercial terms, while coordinating with internal stakeholders for product launches and supply continuity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant procurement experience working with local suppliers within the Food & Beverage industry Experience in either: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)/Restaurant, or Food Manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge and experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier development, and supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading supplier negotiations, commercial discussions, and competitive tender processes.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and procurement compliance.
• Sound supply chain knowledge. Supply chain forecasting experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement activities and supplier relationships for assigned local categories in the Philippines.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that drive cost savings, strengthen supplier partnerships, and support regional procurement objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, source, and onboard new suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations, commercial discussions, competitive tender processes, pricing reviews, and contract renewals.
• Negotiate, execute, and manage supplier contracts while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and standards.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships and manage supplier performance against agreed requirements.
• Drive cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives aligned with regional and local business strategies.
• Develop contingency plans and manage procurement risks to ensure continuity of supply.
• Handle procurement-related supply chain escalations, including product shortages, supply disruptions, and supplier issues.
• Work closely with the Southeast Asia Supply Chain team on forecasting, inventory planning, issue resolution, and implementation of agreed commercial terms.
• Coordinate with the Distribution Partner to support product availability and distribution requirements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support product development, new product launches, and commercialization initiatives.
• Present product recommendations, pricing proposals, and sourcing solutions to key business stakeholders.
• Prepare and communicate product, pricing, and supply updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Collect supplier documentation and commercial information required for supplier onboarding and product setup.
• Maintain procurement and commercial information within internal systems and coordinate with the Master Data team to ensure accurate supplier and product records.
• Conduct supplier visits, facility assessments, and market visits to evaluate supplier capabilities, strengthen supplier relationships, and identify sourcing opportunities.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, pricing movements, and sourcing opportunities to support procurement decisions.
• Work closely with regional Procurement, Supply Chain, Commercialisation, Finance, Data, and Legal teams to implement procurement initiatives and business priorities.
• Perform other procurement and supply chain responsibilities necessary to support business operations and strategic sourcing objectives.

Skills

Procurement experience

Supplier negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Forecasting experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM / related field

Job description

Manila Recruitment is seeking a Category Manager for the Philippines to lead procurement across local categories. You will develop strategic sourcing plans, onboard suppliers, and negotiate contracts to drive cost savings while ensuring compliance and supplier performance.

You will collaborate with regional teams on forecasting, risk management, and commercial terms, while coordinating with internal stakeholders for product launches and supply continuity.