Mgr Category Procurement

The Hershey Company; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hershey Company is seeking a seasoned Category Manager to own category strategy, supplier relationships, and value delivery for a $100M+ spend and a small team. You will shape sourcing plans, drive resilience, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

Responsibilities include risk management, budgeting, supplier performance, and cross-functional collaboration to unlock savings and ensure competitive advantage in a dynamic consumer goods environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, economics or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5–7 years knowledge in materials management, sourcing or procurement.
• Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods and sourcing of direct and indirect materials preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SAP.

Responsibilities

• Lead category management, supplier relationship management and value delivery.
• Develop category strategy, strategic sourcing plans and execution for resilience and sustainability.
• Refresh category strategy annually to maintain competitive advantage.
• Utilize spend analytics to identify savings opportunities.
• Build risk management strategies and budgeting for the category.
• Manage supplier relationships, contract negotiations and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and cost improvements.

Skills

Agile

Strategic mindset

Strategy analytics AI

RFPs & negotiations

Procurement & SCM

Stakeholder influence

Communication

Teamwork

Learning agility

MS Excel/Word/PowerPoint

SAP

Travel NA 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Economics or related field, or equivalent experience

Job description

Summary

Position is responsible for the category management, supplier relationship management, value delivery, sustainability & resiliency of their assigned categories of $100M+ in spend and a team of 1-3 direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Category Management:
  • Lead the development and management of category strategy, strategic sourcing plans and execution to ensure supply resilience, BCPs, multi-year roadmap for Continuous Improvement, innovation and sustainability to unlock value, deliver competitive advantages and proactively support business needs.
  • Strategy includes, but is not limited to, Supplier Segmentation, SWOT analysis, Should Cost Model, Industry Benchmarking, strategic considerations for the category alternative options and qualification, sustainable sourcing all integrated into strategic sourcing plans.
  • Refresh category strategy at least once every 12 months to ensure competitive advantage for the Hershey Company in each market and meet the most recent business needs & requirements.
  • Utilize data and tech, including but not limited to spend analytics, to identify areas of sourcing / savings opportunity in assigned categories.
• Risk Management, Financial Plan, Budgeting and Deliver Finance Plan:
  • Develop risk management strategies based on market dynamics analysis, supply and demand data, historical & current trends; secure approval from CCC and lead flawless execution to bring competitive advantages to Hershey’s total cost of ownership, cost visibility and manage price fluctuations.
  • Build forecasting for annual budgeting and strategic budgeting plans for the category, leveraging market trends & information.
  • Leverage data & tech to drive efficiency and advance analytical capabilities.
• Supplier Management & Development:
  • Implement supplier relationship management program and manage contract negotiation; collaborate with supplier executives to obtain preferential business terms and performance for Hershey.
  • Build regular meeting and governance cadence to manage engagement and deliver contractual commitments.
  • Identify and activate benefits beyond contractual commitments.
  • Manage supplier performance issues and challenges with potential exit plans due to loss of business, performance or other risks.
  • Collaborate with cross‑functional team on new supplier identification, development and qualification.
  • Routinely pursue knowledge of relevant industry market trends and technology improvements; use current information in evaluation of suppliers’ capabilities and to determine potential uses of other alternatives to improve cost and performance.
• Stakeholder Management and Collaboration:
  • Lead partnership with Supply Chain, R&D, Manufacturing, and other appropriate departments to identify and lead innovation sourcing and continuous improvement such as cost savings, quality improvements, alternate supplier qualifications, supplier diversity, and working capital improvement.
  • Minimize supplier proliferation and drive key Supply Chain 2.0 deliverables.

Qualifications

• Agile and flexible to changing demands and workload to ensure timely results.
• Strategic mindset – translates information and data into recommendations and actions; sets strategic goals based on insights with key deliverables and clear business benefits.
• Experience with strategy, analytics, technology solutions or application of AI, and project management.
• Strong experience leading RFPs and conducting contract negotiations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement and supply chain management principles.
• Ability to collaborate and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal skills with demonstrated experience communicating with business stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ability to work effectively and productively in a team environment.
• Willingness and ability to learn at a challenging pace and in a changing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SAP.
• Regional travel in NA up to 25%.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Economics or related field of study, or equivalent experience, required.
• 5–7 years of knowledge / relevant experience in materials management, sourcing or procurement and related supply chains.
• Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods and sourcing of both direct and indirect materials/services is preferred.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability. You can request an accommodation via phone or email.

To request an accommodation via phone, please call [phone] and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to [e-mail]. Please be sure to include "Accommodation Needed" in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.

Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg