Category Procurement Manager

Starbucks Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Starbucks Singapore is seeking a Category Procurement Manager to lead end-to-end strategic and commercial management of assigned categories, ensuring sourced products meet cost, quality, availability and service targets. The role collaborates with Supply Chain, Product, Marketing Operations, QA, Finance, Marketing and R&D to translate business needs into effective category strategies.

You will drive supplier partnerships, negotiations, portfolio management, and cost optimisation, delivering

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Food Science, Hospitality, Finance, Operations or a related discipline.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience in Category Management, Procurement, Buying within the FMCG, F&B, Foodservice, Retail or Hospitality industries.
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management and commercial negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category alignment with business, financial and operational objectives.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities for assigned categories across local and international markets.
• Conduct RFQ/RFP exercises and benchmark supplier pricing against market and alternative sources.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, MOQ, lead time, payment terms, rebates, freight and other commercial conditions.
• Drive supplier consolidation, competitive bidding, specification optimisation and other value-creation initiatives.

Skills

Strategic Category Mgmt

Strategic Sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier Management

Cost & Margin Mgmt

Data Analysis

Project Management

Stakeholder Mgmt

F&B Industry Knowledge

Education

Degree in Supply Chain / Related

Job description

The Category Procurement Manager leads the end-to-end strategic and commercial management of assigned categories, ensuring the right products are sourced at the right cost, quality, availability and service level.

The role drives category efficiency, profitability and supply continuity through category strategy, strategic sourcing, supplier management, cost optimisation, product portfolio management, commercial negotiations and innovation.

Working closely with Supply Chain, Product & Marketing Operations, QA, Finance, Marketing and R&D, the Category Procurement Manager translates business requirements into commercially sound category and sourcing strategies that align product development, inventory planning and supplier performance with the organisation’s commercial, operational and growth objectives.

In short, the Category Procurement Manager determines what the business needs and from whom it should be sourced, aligning category with Product Team and supplier strategies, sourcing, negotiations, product portfolio management, costs, commercial terms and innovation.

This is an opportunity for the right candidate to manage category direction in conjunction with Product Team, strengthen supplier partnerships and deliver commercially sound solutions that support Starbucks’ continued growth and operational success.

Responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

1. Category Alignment

• Develop and execute category alignment with business, financial and operational objectives.
• Analyse market trends, commodity movements, consumer requirements and competitive landscape to identify opportunities and risks.
• Manage category assortment, SKU rationalisation, product lifecycle and category development.
• Establish annual category plans covering cost, quality, supply, inventory, innovation and risk management.
• Monitor category performance and implement corrective actions to achieve business targets.

2. Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities for assigned categories across local and international markets.
• Identify, evaluate and qualify new suppliers and alternative sources.
• Conduct RFQ/RFP exercises and benchmark supplier pricing against market and alternative sources.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, MOQ, lead time, payment terms, rebates, freight and other commercial conditions.
• Drive supplier consolidation, competitive bidding, specification optimisation and other value-creation initiatives.
• Ensure sourcing decisions deliver the optimum balance of cost, quality, service and supply security.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers.
• Establish and monitor supplier KPIs covering cost, quality, service, delivery and responsiveness.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and lead improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier contracts, commercial terms, rebates and agreements to ensure full value realisation.
• Challenge and manage supplier price increases based on market conditions and cost drivers.
• Develop strategic partnerships with key suppliers to support business growth and innovation.
• Establish and deliver annual category savings and cost optimisation targets.
• Monitor commodity trends, inflation, purchase price movements and cost drivers.
• Identify opportunities to reduce total cost through sourcing, specification, packaging, logistics and supplier optimisation.
• Work with Finance to validate savings and monitor category financial performance.
• Provide category insights and recommendations to support pricing, margin and promotional strategies where applicable.
• Monitor category profitability and identify opportunities to improve margin and value.
• Identify and propose new products, ingredients, suppliers and market opportunities that support business growth with alignment from Product Team.
• Work with Product Team Operations and QA on product development, trials, specifications and commercialisation.
• Evaluate new products based on quality, cost, operational suitability and commercial viability.
• Manage product launches and ensure appropriate sourcing and supply readiness.
• Identify opportunities for alternative products, local sourcing, private label and sustainable solutions.

6. Supply Continuity & Inventory

• Work closely with Demand Planning, Supply Planning and Operations to ensure product availability.
• Monitor demand trends, inventory levels, lead times, MOQ, safety stock and supply risks.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with single-source suppliers, imported products, commodity volatility and logistics disruptions.
• Develop alternative sourcing and contingency plans for critical categories.
• Support reduction of stockouts, excess inventory, expiry and wastage.

7. Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Work closely with QA to ensure suppliers and products meet company food safety, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure appropriate product specifications, certifications and supplier documentation are maintained.
• Support supplier audits, quality investigations and corrective actions where required.
• Ensure new suppliers and products comply with applicable Singapore food safety and regulatory requirements.

8. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, QA, Finance, Product and Marketing to achieve category objectives.
• Translate business requirements into effective sourcing and category strategies.
• Prepare category reviews, business cases, savings reports and management updates.
• Use market, supplier, sales, cost and inventory data to drive fact-based decisions.
• Lead category-related projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Performance will be assessed against an agreed and balanced set of commercial, supply, operational and risk-management KPIs relevant to the assigned categories, including:

• Category sales / growth
• Gross margin / profitability
• Annualised procurement savings
• Purchase price variance / cost reduction
• Supplier performance and OTIF
• Product availability / stockout rate
• Inventory efficiency and working capital
• Supplier quality and compliance
• New product / innovation performance
• Supplier rebates and commercial income
• Supply risk and dual-source coverage
• Expiry, wastage and obsolescence reduction

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Food Science, Hospitality, Finance, Operations or a related discipline.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience in Category Management, Procurement, Buying within the FMCG, F&B, Foodservice, Retail or Hospitality industries.
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management and commercial negotiation.
• Strong understanding of F&B products, ingredients, food cost and supply-chain dynamics.
• Experience in local and international sourcing is highly advantageous.
• Experience in supplier performance management and cost optimisation.
• Good understanding of Singapore food safety and regulatory requirements is preferred.
• Strategic Category Management
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Commercial & Negotiation Skills
• Cost & Margin Management
• Market & Data Analysis
• Supply Risk Management
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Strong business acumen and analytical thinking
• Results-oriented with strong ownership and execution
• Office-based role with regular engagement with suppliers, cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Frequent collaboration with Marketing, QA, Operations and Finance stakeholders.

About Starbucks

Starbucks Singapore is proudly operated under license by Maxim’s Caterers Limited, a leading restaurant operator in Asia. Since opening our first store at Liat Towers on 14 December 1996, Starbucks has grown to become more than just a coffeehouse brand - it is a place where great coffee, genuine connection and uplifting experiences come together.

At Starbucks, we believe we are not in the coffee business serving people, but in the people business serving coffee. Our partners are at the heart of everything we do, bringing our mission to life each day:

To inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time.

As a Starbucks partner, you become part of something much bigger than just yourself.

We are excited to learn more about you and appreciate the time you've taken to apply for the role. While we review every application carefully, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to the volume of applications received.