Enjoy a career, packaged with care, whilst helping protect food, people and the planet
We are a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions. We're on a mission to make all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Every day, we ensure the hygiene and safety of food and drink for people around the world. We are Huhtamaki.
You could be part of our vision. Because it's our talented people that make it happen. Our people on the shop floor producing innovative, sustainable products. Our people in our offices delivering excellence for our customers every day. It's every one of us working together.
We offer a place where you can feel safe, be supported, and make an impact so we can all focus on the future together.
Role Purpose & Statement
As the Category Manager supporting North America, you will oversee the regional sourcing team, manage vendor relationships, and develop annual cost savings plans through supplier negotiations and market benchmarking. You will establish a robust sourcing pipeline, lead cross-functional projects, and maintain traded goods master data.
Main Responsibilities
- Manage North America traded goods sourcing team in region
- Owner of market intelligence, final reporting to NA team, and vendor relationships
- Develop cost savings plans annually, lead negotiations with suppliers
- Identify and evaluate cost saving opportunities, reliable supplier base and quality vendors
- Establish yearly sourcing pipeline
- Ensure cost competitive supply for the unit by running tenders and benchmark exercises in the supply market.
- Responsible for introduction of new suppliers and the removal of existing suppliers in conformance with the supplier approval process in place.
- Manage cross-functional sourcing project teams (incl. Sales and NPD)
- Master Data management for Traded goods database
Other Responsibilities
- Review KPI and ensure that the business is well informed of the current sales performance, assortment plans and merchandise strategies
- Track KPIs for savings and supplier performance
- Conduct product knowledge training with commercial team
- Competitive benchmarks analysis
Accountabilities
- Deliver substantial and sustainable cost savings: responsible for setting, monitoring, and driving Total Cost of Ownership reduction initiatives with annual cost savings targets aligned with management, business functions and segment sourcing team.
- Develop and execute effective and consistent unit sourcing strategies.
- Implement and support Group sourcing category plans in unit (including follow up of saving actions).
Job Requirements
- Good command of spoken & written English, spoken & written Mandarin
- Tertiary educated or above in any discipline
- At least 4+ year experience in the products Purchasing
- At least 2+ year experience management experience
- Previous exposure in packaging industry will be advantageous
- Good product sense & well-organized
- Business travel is needed
Personal attributes
- Excellent communication & negotiation skills
- Be numerate, self-motivated as well as customer focus mindset
- Able to work independently & under pressure
- Good PC proficiency, advanced MS Excel skills with ability to build and maintain complex calculators
Join us. Help protect food, people and the planet.
