Category Manager Packaging Sourcing

About the role

The role is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Please be informed that according to our policy you will be required to work from our office approx. 3-4 days per week.

As a Packaging Category Manager you will be tasked with accurately procuring packaging materials at the best overall value ready for production, ensuring that quality, cost and delivery are all balanced. You will be working with suppliers covering all aspects of the purchase from putting commercial terms in place to ensuring that packaging materials are delivered as per agreed conditions. You will be managing the strategic sourcing process for specific assigned categories of packaging materials over Barry Callebaut sites primarily in Europe and Africa, as well as globally, according to the defined strategies and drive to increasingly incorporate best in class techniques and industry benchmarks.

Key responsibilities include

• Prepare & implement the sourcing category strategy for the materials in scope, in close collaboration with the category buyers team and Global Head of Packaging Sourcing, to make sure that purchasing goals are well achieved, according to the business priorities, Group policies and principles
• Assist with the development of an Annual Savings target and the budget preparation for the following year; ensure up-to-date Savings Tracking
• Prepare and produce spend and market analysis across categories to determine potential opportunities regarding process/sourcing enhancement within the cluster
• Manage and execute directly through the procurement process the materials assigned under own lead covering the relevant production sites in the assigned regions or as relevant by category constant benchmarking, organizes requests for proposals and tenders (including compiling the relevant information: price history, quality, service for bid proposals), offers evaluation and negotiation of the best price, terms and conditions, frame agreements, in accordance with the plants’ required service level and specifications
• Develop ongoing category planning to reflect changes in the supplier and industry landscape and the needs of the organization and communicates this information on an ongoing basis
• Ensure appropriate risk management, capacity and contingency plans for respective areas of responsibility
• Manage the relationships with suppliers as required and appropriate and manage supplier performance through reporting and expediting all products purchased and periodical supplier evaluation
• Engage in productivity, cash flow, supplier reduction, supplier compliance, general analysis and innovation projects, support other projects driven by procurement, the Business Unit or another functional area with a focus on overall Total Cost of Ownership
• Maintain ownership and accountability for all assigned action items and follow-ups, and drives continuous improvement in processes, capabilities and systems within identified categories of spend
• Participate in sourcing and category management discussions, provide category expertise, and ensure ongoing linkages with the business
• Communicate and align with internal stakeholders as well as contributing to frequent cross-functional meeting (including but not limited to Quality, Supply Chain, Pricing, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Finance) to ensure the necessary buy-in for the sourcing projects and to outline risks and opportunities for respective categories
• Be a primary contact to site(s) for the strategic sourcing of packaging; lead, control and drive improvement in the transactional buying process for respective category areas to capitalize on opportunities, drive productivity, and deliver quality and service requirements for stakeholders
• Proactively assist Supply Chain at all plant locations with any issues relating to supply. This encompasses suppliers, purchases and policies
• Support the quality complaints and claims proper communication and acceptable response from suppliers
• Use SAP system to manage Supplier info records; keep the SAP system updated with any supplier pricing or lead-times, execute transactional tasks (SAP system – contract management, purchase orders, and other systems as may be required, solving supplier related issues, checking invoices in case of discrepancies, etc.)
• Initiate and follow through the supplier creation and maintenance process (vendor set-up, provide input for quality and master data validation)
• Ensure all contractual terms are in place with Suppliers. Integrate operationally the suppliers and contractual terms (collecting samples, assisting the QA approval process, contract implementation and monitoring etc.)
• Could be assigned to special projects as may arise

About You

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Language skills: English, additional languages an asset
• Experience with responsibility over multiple sites
• Experience within Manufacturing or FMCG industry
• 8+ years professional experience, out of which 5+ years of Procurement/Sourcing experience in a packaging category buyer role is a must (corrugated, plastic film and bags, pallets, plastic buckets, paper bags, FIBCs).
• Experience using SAP is a must
• Strategic Thinking with the ability to think creatively and drive innovation
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal
• Ability to confer with stakeholders at the highest levels
• Influential and tenacious
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Self-motivated and adaptable, able to work independently and strong team-player
• Able to prioritize and multitask in a fast-moving environment
• Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
• High ethics and integrity standards