Firmenich is a leading international company with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Our reputation for excellence as a creator and manufacturer of specialty chemicals, flavors and perfumery products is recognized worldwide. From our award-winning fragrances to our irresistible candy ingredients, our team has been combining experience and innovation to perfume and flavor our clients' products for our mutual success. Their passion has not only helped create many of the world's best-selling perfumes, cosmetics, household products and food & beverage selections, it's the major reason for our success as the world's largest private company in our industry.
We currently have an immediate opportunity for a PURCHASING CATEGORY MANAGER to join the PURCHASING DEPARTMENT of our INGREDIENTS DIVISION at our North American headquarters located in PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY.
The Purchasing Category Manager will be responsible for leading and coordinating the main areas of the Global Purchasing Department and ensuring that it provides significant value to the Firmenich business. Will also ensure compliance with policies, strategies and processes and set category purchasing targets in alignment with global purchasing goals. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Lead and coordinate major parts of the Purchasing Department and be responsible for an optimal sourcing strategy for a wider area of categories
- Be the executive point of contact for a major set of internal customers
- Makes sure that sourcing activities with suppliers that supply more than one category or to more than one Firmenich division are coordinated within Firmenich
- Prioritize sourcing activities across different categories, suppliers and Firmenich divisions
- Provide guidelines (business requirements, market knowledge, etc.) and resources to Purchasing Category Managers and Purchasing Category Leads to allow the development of a harmonized global sourcing strategy
- Develop and communicate a vision which builds a frame for the procurement strategy for a category
- Manage and develop strong market intelligence information to support sourcing activities
- Support strong and robust purchasing infrastructure aimed at optimizing transactional
purchasing activities
- Set ethical standards which are communicated as guidelines for the procurement process (e.g. interaction with suppliers)
- Optimize supply base globally moving towards a fewer strategic suppliers
- Assist Purchasing Category Director in developing, implementing and communicating the corporate-wide Purchasing strategy
- Develop and train personnel capable of delivering strategy
- Communicate Supplier Relationship Management policies and procedures
- Develop sourcing skills in the organization for all categories
- Lead development of the negotiation strategy
- Establish global performance management standards for both categories and suppliers
- Maintain Purchasing customer satisfaction metrics
- Act as a change agent in leading implementation of new global purchasing initiatives
- Support the business in setting up their plans, budgets and strategies
- Establish and maintain strong network with the key suppliers
- Establish strong relationships with the business
- Develop and maintain network within the global Purchasing Department
- Manage and develop his/her part of the Purchasing Department and continuously improve its ways of working
- Manage his/her purchasing budget
PROFILE
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in food, chemistry or purchasing discipline; MBA preferred
- Certified Purchasing Manager(CPM) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) designation is preferred
- 10 plus years experience in purchasing direct and/or indirect materials with a total annual spend of at least $50MM
- Deep know-how in purchasing, market intelligence and supplier analysis
- Deep knowledge of the food, chemical process or fragrance industry a plus
- Good overview of supply chain management
- Strong communication skills with suppliers and internal customers
- Being able to articulate, discuss and present performance improvement ideas and sourcing strategies at senior executive level
- Proven client focus (internal customers)
- Ability to drive strong networking with suppliers
- Good program management skills
- Strong innovation focused and open for unconventional business ideas
- Act as a leader and be able to develop team members’ skills
- Global and multicultural focus
- Integrated knowledge of business administration principles
- Broad comprehension of technical standards of the required materials
- Purchasing know-how and mastering the 7-Step Sourcing Process (supplier industry analysis, development of TCO-models, procurement strategies, supplier selection, fact-based negotiations etc.)
- Good knowledge of the specific supplier industry
- Highly experienced in negotiation strategies and tactics
- Specific knowledge of local legal positions for international contracts
- 15% - 20% travel required.
At Firmenich, we create an environment in which employees are valued, motivated and encouraged to reach their full potential. We foster entrepreneurial spirit and imaginative teamwork with freedom to act within our strategic plans. We recruit and develop the best talents, rewarding them accordingly.
We offer competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and an outstanding benefits program that features:
* Generous Paid Time Off!
* Quarterly Bonus Potential!
* Retirement Plans!
* 401(k) with Company Match!
* Low Cost Medical, Dental & Rx & Vision Coverage!
* Tuition Assistance for Employees and Children!
* Flexible Spending Accounts!
* Subsidized Cafeteria!
* Flex/Summer Hours!
* Tobacco-Free Workplace!
* And Many More Employee-Friendly Programs!
If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply online at:
Equal Opportunity Employer
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