Freelance Category Procurement Manager (ZZP)

Our client Corporate Procurement is a dynamic department globally responsible for all sourcing activities within the company. The results we achieve significantly impact the company's profitability. By collaborating closely with our suppliers, we continuously strive to enhance performance, optimize costs, and ensure our products maintain a competitive edge.

We are seeking a bright, energetic, and enthusiastic procurement professional to join the Global Packaging Procurement Category team. Within this team, you will have the opportunity to truly make a difference and shape the future of packaging within the company. The Category Procurement Manager Rigids develops and implements global end-to-end procurement category strategies, aligning business needs and consumer requirements with supply market capabilities, ultimately driving long-term value for our client.

As Global Category Manager Rigid Packaging, you will oversee the global sourcing of all plastic rigids, such as plastic bottles & closures, PET resins, straws, sleeves, and more. Rigid packaging is often tailor-made according to **our client**’s specific quality and sustainability standards. The visibility of these packages plays a crucial role in building consumer trust in our products.

The company is committed to leading in sustainability, with the ambition to make all packaging globally fully recyclable by 2025. You will advance our sustainability initiatives further by engaging suppliers to join us on this journey. You will develop and execute strategic long-term plans in close collaboration with global procurement colleagues and secure commitment from stakeholders. The annual spend responsibility for this role is approximately €90 million.

The complexity of this role lies in its high-risk profile, with numerous individual value and sustainability initiatives across our global production plants. Given the large number of suppliers and items, reducing the supply base and rationalizing articles will also be key priorities.

You will identify and capitalize on opportunities within the category/portfolio to reduce overall costs, ensure supply continuity, and drive open innovation. You will establish integrated category management strategies, act as a thought leader in the Rigids category, manage supplier relationships, and lead the strategic sourcing process. Additionally, you will define value drivers in the supply chain and actively seek top-line growth opportunities.

Responsibilities:

Category Management:

Develop and drive a holistic and inclusive long term strategy roadmap providing full transparency and insights in value- and sustainability opportunities, supply risk mitigation and supporting top-line growth in a total cost of ownership approach. Integrated strategies are fully aligned with business needs and key stakeholders; fully building upon-, or developing, supply market capabilities.

Strategic Sourcing management:

Lead and drive the sourcing management process globally for categories in scope. Ensure that sourcing plans are in place. Define and agree on workplans and scope.

Supplier Relationship management:

Develop and maintain relationships with key and strategic suppliers to facilitate strategic partnerships leading to innovations, sustainability and increased value. Drive Supplier Relationship Management and Supplier Performance Management for key (strategic) suppliers. Driving outside in innovation through strong supplier relationship management.

Program management:

Identify, develop and coordinate a project roadmap in line with the category strategy and business need. Monitor in time, in full delivery, coordinate project- and program delivery in the right governance channels.

Thought Leadership:

Act as the thought leader and point of contact on all matters related to the spend category. Continuously explore FrieslandCampina spend in relevant categories and drive related optimizations.

Financial management & ICF:

Define should cost models, creating continuous transparency in cost pricing and related commodity pricing movements incl. opco impact analyses. Manage and drive the annual budget process according to the required policies and compliance needs.

Stakeholder management:

Build and maintain good relationships at tactical and strategic level. Seek approval on strategies, roadmaps and program management activities. Aim for an Integrated perspective across functions and disciplines.

You are a talented procurement professional with a proven track record. Ideally you bring 8 years of purchasing experience in packaging materials to the table. Multitasking comes naturally, you are stress averse and understand how to set priorities. FrieslandCampina is not your average type of multinational. The company culture is no-nonsense based and entrepreneurial. Straightforward communication, strong interpersonal skills and taking initiative are highly regarded. As a person you are entrepreneurial, a self-starter and someone who takes responsibility, unlocks opportunities, removes barriers, aligns suppliers and internal stakeholders. Someone who simply gets things done.

Requirements:

• Talented procurement professional with a proven track record

• Strong interpersonal skills, no-nonsense and fact driven

• Strong stakeholder management skills

• Someone who understands how to set priorities (organizing values, goals and high leverage activities)

• A can-do mentality and self-starter

• A pragmatic personality with advanced analytical skills

• Commercial flair, humour and determination

• University degree

• 8 years’ experience in (packaging) procurement, preferable in a multinational environment

• Experience in Direct Procurement Packaging is a must-have.

• Experience in the Plastics Category is a plus.

• A good understanding of the Plastics supply and demand market is a plus.