Sourcing Manager, Raw Materials

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Sourcing Manager to 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.