Category Manager Global Supply Chain (Procurement)

We're JTI, Japan Tobacco International and we believe in freedom. We think that the possibilities are limitless when you're free to choose. In fact, we've spent the last 20 years innovating, creating new and better products for our consumers to choose from. It's how we've grown to be present in 130 countries.
But our business isn't just business. Our business is our people. Their talent. Their potential. We believe when they're free to be themselves, grow, travel and develop, amazing things can happen for our business.
That's why our employees, from around the world, choose to be a part of JTI. It is why 83% of employees feel happy working at JTI. And why we've been awarded Global Top Employer status, nine years running.
So when you're ready to choose a career you'll love, in a company you'll love, feel free to #JoinTheIdea.
Learn more: jti.com
About the Company
Since opening its first branch in the USA in 1986, and launching the Wave brand in 1993, JTI in the USA has grown into a total tobacco company with three products categories.
• JT International USA, Inc. marketing and selling ready-made cigarette brands: Wave, Wings, Export 'A' and the global brand LD
• Primetime International Distributing, Inc. an industry leader in filtered cigars and pipe tobacco: PrimeTime, Sparrow, Smokers Choice
• Logic Technology Development, LLC, a category leader in vapor products: Logic
JTI has 3 office locations in the USA with over 300 employees.
Our office in New Jersey: offers rewarding career paths in Marketing, Sales, Legal, Corporate Affairs & Communications, Finance, People & Culture etc. We also have sales and key account teams working across the country, to build and maintain relationships directly with our wholesale and retail customers. Our New Jersey office also hosts global functions supporting the USA business (i.e. IT, Procurement, Quality Assurance etc.)
Our office in Danville, Virginia: ensures the procurement and processing of U.S. leaf tobacco, and supplies JTI exclusively with directly contracted U.S. leaf tobacco, renowned globally for its high quality and rich flavour. It established itself as an industry leader in processing at its state-of-the-art facility where it offers fulfilling career opportunities in Leaf Buying, Leaf Processing, Agronomy, Logistics, Warehousing, Finance, People & Culture and Corporate Affairs & Communications.
Our office in Miami: Includes the Americas regional team, responsible for supporting the different markets in the region (USA, Canada, Brazil & Mexico+ cluster) with their overall business strategy and operational plans, providing guidance, as needed. Our Miami office also hosts the Global Travel Retail team responsible for the Americas duty free zones, as well as other global functions (i.e. Research & Development, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs etc.).
What this position is about:
Reporting to the Cluster Procurement Manager North America and working as part of a multi-functional team, the role of Category Manager GSC (Global Supply Chain) is responsible for the procurement activities of the non-Tobacco materials, spare parts, CAPEX and general services categories of spend for the new Cigarette Manufacturing facility in Danville, VA.
This role has the following main dimensions:

• Act as category liaison for Global GSC Procurement
• Participate in financial planning and deliver benefits/value within their perimeter of action
• Drive ad-hoc cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives
• Apply Category Management principles, and develop and coordinate Regional/Local implementation plans as per Global/Regional directions
• Ensure business connectivity and foster collaborative business partnership with specific stakeholders
• Manage SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) with key regional/local suppliers in full coordination with the relevant internal stakeholders
• Ensure Regional/Cluster alignment and compliance with strategies
• Role model in compliance and ethics

What will you do: Responsibilities
Category Management Strategy:

• Define and implement Supply Chain strategies for the GSC and other local categories, ensuring alignment with local and global company objectives. Document and communicate local/Cluster strategies.•
• Demonstrate value to business partners through collective collaboration on efficiency, knowledge of the supplier market, supplier risk and compliance matters.•
• Consistently working with strong communication skills, organizational skills, and cost-savings initiatives• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate, and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.

Supplier Management:

• Identifies and manages local suppliers' pool.
• Negotiates strategic contracts and ensures optimum and sustainable supply conditions.
• Recommends timely strategic decisions where relevant to secure procurement efficiencies.
• Demonstrates ability to challenge status quo, proposes and runs projects that will add value to the Company. Provides necessary support to Global and Regional procurement teams for implementation.
• Manages SRM with key local suppliers in full coordination with the relevant internal stakeholders
• Supports Global and Regional teams to build Innovation & Sustainability strategy with Global/Regional/Local suppliers and promotes any ideas that could represent a competitive advantage for JTI

KPIs & Targets:

• Achieves set Procurement negotiation targets and KPIs. Plans and delivers Savings targets. Develops and recommends strategic sourcing plans and decisions.
• Leads and /or supports supplier bidding processes in close cooperation with respective business partners to ensure best combination of quality, cost and service parameters / conditions for products and services are attained.
• Drives strategy implementation at local and cluster level for assigned category and monitors performance. Ensures corrective actions are taken when required.
• Drives ad-hoc cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Business Partnership:

• Ensure business connectivity and foster collaborative business partnership with specific stakeholders.
• Focuses on demonstrating value of Business Partnership, by developing a customer-oriented approach. • Aligns strategy with key business partners and ensures it meets Business' priorities.
• Establishes alignment and effective communication among procurement organization, business partners and suppliers.
• Takes preventive actions to avoid supply issues and supports problem solving where required.

Market Intelligence:

• Shares category intelligence, identifies trends and opportunities and promotes innovative ideas. • Applies best practices in procurement process management by utilizing latest models and takes necessary actions for areas of improvement.
• Conducts supply risk assessments, builds contingency plans, finds alternative ideas, solutions in securing best conditions for the company including extensive market research and proactive sourcing of innovative suppliers

Who are we looking for: Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Business or related Finance /Business management / Supply Chain field
• Minimum 5 years in Strategic Sourcing with 3-5 years specifically but not limited to category management of direct materials, spare parts, equipment, and general services in a manufacturing setting in North America
• Complex supplier contract negotiations
• 3 to 5 years related business experience with a CPG and/or Global organization• Business, Financial and Contract Acumen
• Procurement Designation is an asset
• Fluent English knowledge

What are the next steps - Recruitment process:
Thank you very much for your interest in the role. You are welcome to apply.
Should you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Maja Lenczewska, Talent Advisor for US via email: maja.lenczewska@jti.com