Regional Category Manager - EU Essential Oil & Fruit

Job Description

The future Regional Category Manager (RCM) will be responsible to develop and maintain sourcing strategies aiming to source a critical regional portfolio of raw materials for all relevant manufacturing plants in the most important region for IFF: Europe Middle East and Africa (EAME).

The portfolio will include the following products:

-    Fruit derivatives
-    Botanical extracts and essential oils
-    Other natural derived products 

In parallel, this position will also be the business procurement leader for Taura, an innovative and international Business Unit producing fruit inclusion and be a key player in reinforcing our sustainability journey through the management of IFF integrated botanical.

The RCM is accountable for the management and performance of this full portfolio, including establishing sourcing strategies, setting strategic objectives and optimizing supplier’s portfolio. He/she will manage relationships with key suppliers, ensure alignment with IFF business objectives, and participate with Global category teams to align sourcing strategies with global, regional, and local business needs. 

The key value axis of IFF sourcing strategy are the following:

-    Ensure strategically supply resilience and be for our key suppliers ‘customer of first choice’
-    Drive cost competitiveness through TCO and cash optimization, with a cross-functional vision 
-    Reinforce IFF sustainability agenda on the category (communities, organic sourcing, vertical integration)
-    Drive innovations and support business growth through new products development.

The job function requires international external interactions with suppliers and agricultural 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.

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: Perform continually spend analysis on assigned categories and sub-categories, assess market intelligence, and develop full market analysis, Identify and approve new vendors to diversify supply portfolio

-    Understand and apply the principals of SRM within the category and region: Develop new and existing supplier partnerships and collaboration to support growth strategy with innovation and technology, support technology buying by accessing supplier capabilities and reduce non-value-added suppliers

-    Optimize raw material quality and service: Work with technical teams to accelerate adoption of alternate products and suppliers.

-    Provide continuous impactful communication to stakeholders. Be the advocate of the regional spend.
 

Job Requirements

-    Bachelor, or master’s degree in business (preferred), Economics, science/engineering, supply chain or equivalent experience 

-    CPSM or SPSM or related certification in supply chain or procurement excellence

-    Knowledge in ERP (SAP, Oracle..)

-    Experience in the procurement area of responsibility with product depth and contacts in key supply markets for raw materials (> 6 years)

-    Related supply chain experience in the space operating around raw materials, suppliers, supplier relationship management and supply chain best practices (> 3 years)

-    Strong knowledge of business practices and financial concepts/impact/analyses (> 5 years)

-    Strong people skills, project management and experience in cross-functional teams

-    Strong communication and presentation skills 

-    Fluent oral and written skills in English language

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