Procurement Category Manager

Suntorybeverageandfood Kenya; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced procurement professional to optimize the Ingredients portfolio across European markets. The successful candidate will manage vendor relationships, drive sustainability goals, and oversee a small team. Ideal candidates will have a FMCG background, a procurement specialization, and leadership skills. The role emphasizes financial targets, market strategies, and compliance, with a focus on collective diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunity for professional growth

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Extensive purchasing experience.
• Knowledge and experience of the relevant industry sector (agriculture related is a plus).
• Fluent in English; French and Spanish are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive and optimize procurement of an Ingredients portfolio.
• Manage vendor relationships to maximize value chain.
• Ensure compliance and risk management with suppliers.
• Deliver sustainable sourcing targets for direct materials.
• Manage a two-person team.

Skills

Experience within a FMCG environment

Good influencing skills & proactivity

Team player, cross-cultural work

Agility and flexibility

Excellence in analysis

Leadership and management skills

Education

University degree level, technical or economical including a Procurement specialization

Job description

Suntory is a fast-moving, agile, and entrepreneurial business that is home to some of the nation's most loved brands. The Suntory Group is one of the largest soft drinks companies and among the world’s leading consumer products companies. We offer a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages enjoyed by millions across the globe

About your role

The purpose of this position is to drive and optimize the procurement of an Ingredients portfolio across our European markets, while exploiting the successful management of vendor relationships to maximize the full value chain for the business and driving the innovation platform and sustainability goals with suppliers, in line with functional, business, region & Suntory objectives.

What You'll Do

Accountability 1: Budget & cost optimisation/ Performance reporting

Accountable for setting budget standard prices for categories, follow up on purchase price variances.

Ensure the execution and reporting of decisions taken via the Commodity Price Risk Management.

Deliver financial targets for the portfolio through cost optimization and TCO approach. Develop cost models when appropriate.

Accountability 2: Market insights, strategies development and business partnering

Develop and implement complete procurement strategies for each part of the portfolio and drive implementation throughout in alignment with business objectives

Ensure alignment within Markets agenda for Procurement strategies.

Deploy the CPRM methodology on commodities and develop best coverage strategy for each commodity

Accountability 3: Compliance, Supplier Performance & risk management

Develop appropriate SRM strategy in alignment with the strategies allowing Customer of Choice ambition, leveraging segmentation and Top to Top relationships development.

Engage with R&D in an aligned roadmap to address short/mid/long term risks in the category

Develop framework agreements & drive continuous improvement by putting in place SLA / KPI’s

Leverage Risk Assessment process and ensure action plan and BCPs are implemented

Accountability 4: Sustainability, Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Deliver the Sustainable Sourcing Targets applied to all Direct Materials’ categories (SEDEX compliance, SGSG compliance etc.)

Proactively support the organisation to progress on ESG & sustainability engagements, drive the Sustainable Sourcing programmes specific to the scope, including Agriculture related projects

Develop a business partnering relationship with R&D and Marketing to support Innovation

Accountability 5: Team Management

Manage a two-person team comprising the Additives buyer and Ingredients apprentice, driving maximum value to the full team.

What's in it for you

Joining Suntory isn’t just about taking on a role, it’s about embarking on a career journey. You have the opportunity to work with talented, inspiring and authentic leaders and have the freedom to dream big and go for it (Yatte Minahare). At Suntory you’ll find a supportive work environment that values work life balance and that will help you realise your full potential and grow for good. Our People and Culture team are a team that genuinely care about creating a great experience for our employees and we would love you to be part of it.

What You need to be successful

• Experience within a FMCG environment
• Good influencing skills & proactivity
• Team player, Cross-cultural work, travel internationally
• Agility, Flexibility, “think out of the box”
• Excellence in analysis
• Leadership and management skills (feedback, coaching, etc.)

Background

• University degree level, technical or economical including a Procurement specialization
• Extensive Purchasing experience
• Knowledge and experience of the relevant industry sector (Agriculture related is a +)
• Fluent in English and/or French and Spanish is a plus

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.