Our client, a Global Agri-Business company is looking to hire a Cluster Category Manager: Services to join their team. As a key contact for Regional and Global Category Managers, the job holder will participate in designing and executing global/regional strategies, tailoring sourcing plans to specific clusters, financial planning, driving cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure value delivery and fostered partnerships. He/she will manage the procurement activities for the relevant category within their own cluster.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Category Management Strategy

• Responsible for procurement activities of the assigned Category within own cluster.
• Acts as main point of contact for Global Category Managers. Participates in the development of Global strategy design. Rolls-out appropriate strategies set forth by the Global Category team, defines Cluster-specific ones if relevant and ensures close collaboration with all cluster stakeholders.
• Ensures Regional/Cluster alignment and compliance with strategies. Applies Category Management principles, develops and secures implementation of Cluster procurement plan.
• Ensure full team integration and participation in financial planning. Supplier Management
• Identifies and manages regional/local supplier pool.
• Ensures optimum and sustainable supply conditions. Recommends timely strategic decisions where relevant to prevent procurement inefficiencies.
• Demonstrates ability to challenge status quo, proposes and runs projects that will add value to both Procurement and business functions. Provides necessary support to Global or Regional procurement teams for implementation.
• Manages SRM with key Cluster suppliers in full coordination with Global/Regional directions. Supports Global Category Managers to build Innovation and Sustainability strategy with Global suppliers and promotes any ideas that could represent a competitive advantage for the organization.

People Management

• Leads dedicated Category team. Oversees balanced work allocation, training/coaching needs and performance appraisal within the team to develop/motivate towards achieving targeted productivity and other performance goals (accuracy, timeliness, etc.).
• Develops a strong team / pool of talent including robust succession planning with potential to participate in Global/Regional initiatives and apply to future opportunities within GIP or other organizational functions following Manager as Developer principles.

KPIs and Targets

• Ensures the team achieves set procurement targets and KPIs. Plans and delivers upon expectation.
• Drives strategy implementation at cluster level for assigned category and monitors performance. Ensures corrective actions are taken when required.
• Drives ad-hoc cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Market Intelligence

• Shares Category intelligence, identifies trends and opportunities within defined Category.
• Applies best practices in procurement process management by utilizing latest models and takes necessary actions for areas of improvement.
• Ensures the team conducts supply risk assessments, builds contingency plans, finds alternative ideas, solutions in securing best conditions for the company including extensive market research and proactive sourcing of innovative suppliers.

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement, Purchasing and Supply or equivalent; Masters Degree in these fields is an added advantage.
• Should possess a minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in similar environment in a multinational company.
• Should be proficient in English (business language) other language is an asset (local language based on location).
• Should be a strategic thinker.
• Should possess effective negotiations and communication, interpersonal skills.
• Should be able to do financial analysis.
• Should possess team leadership skills, management of internal and external stakeholders.
• Should have business environment knowledge.
• Decision-making, identifying and applying efficiencies.
• Should have knowledge of MS Office tools and SAP.