Category Manager

Job Description

IFF is looking for a Category Manager to join our team at the IFF South Brunswick, NJ site. This IFF location manufactures flavor ingredients that can be found in consumer products that people across the U.S. and around the world use every day.

The Regional Category Manager is responsible to develop and maintain a strategy to source a competitive and cost-effective regional portfolio of raw materials across all manufacturing plants in their region. This portfolio will include materials sourced regionally, with a common supply base and similar market forces.  The individual is accountable for the management of raw material costs and performance of their full portfolio, including establishing the sourcing strategy and setting strategic objectives, while optimizing their supplier portfolio. The individual will manage relationships with key suppliers, ensure alignment with IFF business objectives, and participate on Category teams to align sourcing strategies with global, regional and local business needs. The job function requires regional external interactions with suppliers and extensive market/network knowledge. In addition, it requires extensive internal interaction with key functions including Regulatory, R&D, Quality, Creation & Application, Commercial, and Technical Program leads. This position contributes to key company, functional and regional business strategies and cost initiatives, directly impacting IFF’s margins.

The role will include year over year savings in raw material costs, continuous improvements in working capital, supplier development, sustainability programs, and collaborating with suppliers to drive IFF's innovation programs.  He/She will be a valued business partner across the organization and support initiatives to achieve the company's strategic objectives. The scope of this position includes effective product and competitive market intelligence to  dynamically evaluate IFF competitive advantage especially in validating our product mix as we assess product differentiators and inherent quality/regulatory risks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop regional category strategies for assigned categories and sub-categories to ensure raw material supply, manage costs, and capture savings. Implement strategies within the region, driving results and achieving strategic objectives.
• Execute a disciplined application of IFF’s strategic sourcing methodology.
• Understand and apply the principals of SRM within the category and region.
• Optimization and continuous improvement in raw material quality and service through collaboration with Creation & Application, Operations, and Quality in support of corporate service, sustainability, and quality goals.
• Provide continuous impactful communication to stakeholders. Be the advocate of the regional spend.
• Communicate market trends, supply concerns, pricing information to Regional Directors and supply managers on a weekly basis.
• Reduction of working capital through payment term negotiation and collaboration with Planning group on vendor managed inventory and vendor-based planning initiatives.
• Alignment with Responsible Sourcing Team on Supplier and ingredient risk assessment.  Ensure assigned suppliers complete Ecovadis and/or SEDEX assessments.

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Job Requirements

• Degree in Business, Economics, science/engineering, supply chain or equivalent experience.
• Recognized expert in the procurement area of responsibility with product depth and contacts in key supply markets.
• Related supply chain experience in the space operating around raw materials, suppliers, supplier relationship management and supply chain best practices.
• Strong knowledge of business practices and financial concepts/impact/analyses.
• Strong people skills, project management and presentation skills.  People management needed for position with direct reports.

Preferred Skills

• Graduate degree; MBA, Supply Chain and material science related graduate degrees.
• Experience identifying, developing and promoting new and existing supplier relationships.
• Engaging cross-functionally (R&D, Commercial, Creation, Production, Quality, etc.)
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) in English and global interaction.
• Team leadership / project management / analytical skills.