Sourcing Manager, Raw Materials

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Sourcing Managerto lead the procurement of Raw Materials. This strategic role is responsible for developing and executing effective sourcing strategies, managing the end-to-end supplier lifecycle, and driving high-impact negotiations to achieve business objectives.As the subject matter expert for your assigned categories, driving cost-saving initiatives, ensuring material availability, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to secure competitive pricing and mitigate supply chain risks.Key Responsibilities: Supplier and Category Management • Participate in commercial supplier qualification activities to aid development of strategic suppliers.• Serve as the centre of knowledge for assigned suppliers, sharing insights with key stakeholders.• Partner with different functions' internal stakeholders to build a comprehensive view of supplier performance.• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure competitive pricing, reliable stock allocation, and early access to new products.• Develop the supply base to meet the company's business and supply chain goals.• Communicate key supplier management updates and decisions to multiple levels in the organization, including Executive Leadership.• Serve as a point of escalation for all suppliers, leading and solving escalations.Negotiation & Contract Management • Develop a contract strategy for suppliers in assigned categories.• Create, negotiate, monitor, and enforce contracted terms and conditions.• Lead negotiations for contract extensions, renewals or closures.• Collaborate across categories to ensure unified negotiation plans.• Lead sourcing events and the RFQ process into bundled negotiations.• Negotiate cost and commercial terms to achieve the best overall value and long-term partnership benefits.• Incorporate savings targets and contract requirements into negotiations.• Active Management of portfolio for all suppliers ensuring accuracy (prices, period, SKU) and execution.Cost Management & Market Analysis • Identify and evaluate category-specific savings.• Drive category savings/revenue and scorecard metric targets.• Utilize should-cost models for assigned categories that are benchmarked and relevant to the global marketplace.• Analyse market conditions and implement supply chain strategies to assure supply and price competitiveness.• Provide market intelligence and category price trends to relevant internal stakeholders.• Research, prepare, and publish market intelligence reports, alerts, and trends.Material Supply Optimization • Develop and execute sourcing and origination strategies to strengthen and expand the supplier base• Monitor material lead times, sample order status, and delivery schedules.• Collaborate with sourcing and planning teams to ensure material availability and mitigate risks.• Support capacity planning and supplier allocation based on recipes optimization and seasonal needs.• Demonstrate expertise in assigned commodities and competency in all aspects of the commodity's supply chain management.• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.Qualifications and Requirements • Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.• Minimum of 6 years' experience in commodities product line management and/or physical commodity trading with ownership of P&L.• Demonstrate experience in trading, risk management, market analysis and operations.• In-depth understanding of cocoa, fats, dairy markets preferred.• Excellent interpersonal skills, strategic thinking and negotiation skills.• High level of initiative, resilience and adaptability in a dynamic working environment.