Category Manager –Packaging
FMCG - Poznań

Ref: PL10-R265-S01

Our Client

Out Client is a leading tea producer. Due to their substantial development and opening new production facility in Poland (the biggest plant in the group), they are looking for motivated purchasing professional to join their newly created organization

Mission

Through adopting a Total Cost of Ownership approach, develop and implement highly effective procurement strategies for the sourcing of packaging materials to support the business requirements. Management of Packaging suppliers delivering to factory Poland to ensure attainment of agreed Supply, Quality, Service, Cost and Innovation targets.

Scope

Full sourcing responsibilities for agreed Packaging categories.  Engagement with key business stakeholders at all levels, particularly within the Marketing and Manufacturing Teams across Poland and UK.  Active participation and engagement within Procurement initiatives, including specific Strategic Category reviews.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager (Poland), you will be responsible for the following:

• Cost Management
• Supporting the implementation of contractual arrangements.
• Suggesting changes / improvements to supply terms.
• Support data collection for RFx / eRfx and play a key role in RFx / eRFx processes / execution.
• Track changes to demand / forecasts to highlight potential commercial opportunities / risks.
• Manage site specific commercial issues e.g. agreeing write offs, managing local commercial disputes with suppliers.
• Gathering, monitoring and reporting of commodity pricing.
• Update department cost trackers and participate in the setting and delivery of the annual budgets.
  
• Category Management
• Liaise / take part / lead relevant ABF Packaging category activity.
• Apply Category Management techniques to deliver business requirements for the Packaging Category.
• Continue to develop potential new supply sources.
• Supplier and Quality Management
• Managing Investigation of site supply and Quality issues.
• Measuring / giving feedback on supplier performance.
• Hosting supplier liaison / improvement meetings.
• Lead supplier performance / material performance / service and Quality improvement projects.
• Assist in the execution of supplier change / improvement projects.
• Materials Management
• Assisting with "call off" issues at the plant.
• Maintain close relationships with local and central planning in order to:
• Provide input to any planning / supply decisions that may have a commercial impact.
• Agree optimum parameters for material supply (e.g. MOQs, run sizes, lead times).
• Product Improvement / Innovation
• Lead and generate ideas for “Value Engineering” projects.
• Lead, generate ideas and play a key role in delivering and testing product improvement, quality improvement and innovation ideas.
• Collaboration / Communication / Reporting
• Provision of Management reporting and Procurement data to the business.
• Maintain close relations (including regular face to face meetings and appropriate use of technology) with client Procurement teams and key Stakeholders based in other locations globally.
• Actively develop relations with local team.

The Ideal Candidate will have

• at least  a bachelor’s degree in quantitative discipline (business/finance/economics/engineering/ mathematics) or equivalent
• at least 2 years of experience in of buying for manufacturing operations within international environment
• experience of working with packaging category
• experience working with cross functional teams, aligning technical requirements with commercial terms and conditions and leading RFP processes, negotiations and contract execution
• hands-on knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies and category management processes
• significant proven competency in contracting/negotiation processes and best practices
• strong analytical skills including the ability to distill, synthesize, and draw conclusions on large amounts of data
• fluent English
• multi-tasking skills
• excellent communication, organization/time management and problem solving skills

Travel:

• This position will be located at the factory in Poznań
• Travel: up to 20% (UK HQ, suppliers visits)