Regional Procurement Lead - EU Energy

Job Description

In a highly dynamic and transforming  market, the future Regional Category Manager (RCM) will be responsible to develop and execute sourcing strategies aiming to source, secure and optimize IFF energy spending (~300 Mio) for all relevant manufacturing plants, labs and office locations in the most important region for IFF Europe (~80 locations).
 

The RCM Energy will be a key business and Operations partner:

-    Business: via collaborating with different Business unit leaders in setting up IFF hedging pricing strategies and market risk management practices

-    Operations: via driving the IFF high sustainability ambitions to drastically reduce the company carbon footprint, partnering with Operations and sites leadership.

The portfolio will include the following products:

-    Electricity
-    Natural gas
-    VPPA, Green energy
-    Nitrogen and other gas

The RCM is accountable for the management and performance of this full portfolio, including establishing sourcing strategies, setting strategic objectives, optimizing supplier’s portfolio and executing strategic transformative projects. 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: 

-    In an uncertain environment, ensure strategically supply resilience being for our key suppliers ‘customer of first choice’
-    Drive IFF CO2 footprint reduction on the category, playing a key role in IFF sustainability agenda
-    Ensure a robust market risk management together with business lead and execute accordingly
-    Drive cost competitiveness through TCO and cash optimization, with a cross-functional vision 
-    Identify technological innovations and support business growth 

The job function requires international external interactions with suppliers and Energy market/network knowledge. In addition, it requires extensive internal interaction with key functions including Operations, Business teams, Quality, Commercial, and Technical Program leads.

Responsibilities
-    Develop regional category strategies for assigned categories and sub-categories to ensure energy supply, manage costs, efficient hedging and capture saving, Sustainability and energy sobriety. 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.

-    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 market risk, innovation, sustainability and technology, support technology buying by accessing supplier capabilities.

-    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 

-    Related experience in the space operating around services procurement, supplier relationship management (> 4 years)

-    Experience in Gas/Electricity Trading at a reputable Trading or Utility company, including hedging on the futures, options and derivative markets is a strong plus

-    Knowledge of European Energy markets is a strong plus

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

-    Ideally, experience in the procurement area of responsibility with depth and contacts in key markets (> 4 years)

-    Strong knowledge of business practices and financial concepts/impact/analyses

-    Solid Financial acumen ideally acquired through a commodity procurement role 

-    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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