Sourcing Category Manager

Inspired to grow with your experience, learn and share with new colleagues?

Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste.

We are committed to protecting food, people and the planet and are on the lookout for passionate and consummate professionals to join our growing team to help us deliver on our ambitious 2030 Strategy. We look for colleagues who Care, Dare and Deliver.

Sourcing Category Manager

Huhtamaki are currently looking to hire a Sourcing Category Manager to join our sourcing team in Europe, working across our Fiber and Foodservice segments.

The Sourcing Category Manager will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for indirect spend categories to drive cost savings, improve supplier performance, and support the overall business objectives.

Reporting into the Senior Category Manager Indirect, Utilities and Capex, the Sourcing Category Manager will liaise actively with the other key functions in the segments and Market Units (MU’s), such as Supply Chain, Planning, Production, Maintenance, Sales, Finance, NPD and Safety.

Responsibilities:
- Category Strategy Development:
- Develop and implement category strategies for indirect spend that align with Huhtamaki’s overall strategic goals.- Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and best practices.- Establish and manage category plans that deliver cost savings, risk mitigation, and value creation.- Sourcing and Supplier Management:
- Lead sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs, to identify and select suppliers that meet the company’s requirements.- Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve favorable outcomes.- Manage supplier relationships, including performance evaluation, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.- Stakeholder Collaboration:
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure alignment with sourcing strategies.- Provide guidance and support to MU’s on procurement processes and best practices.- Facilitate cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and projects.- Cost Management and Reporting:
- Track and report on cost savings and other key performance indicators (KPIs) related to indirect spend.- Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities through strategic sourcing and supplier management.

Required Experience, Education & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A master’s degree or relevant certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is a plus.- Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a focus on indirect spend categories.- International and/or multisite work experience is an advantage.- Exposure to Equipment (CAPEX/OPEX) or spare parts sourcing is a strong advantage- Knowledge of sourcing theories, techniques and fundamental sourcing processes and practices.- Strong skills in negotiations, networking and influencing and communication.- Pragmatic and hands-on.- Financial and business understanding, commercial awareness.- Planning, organizing and project management skills.- Strong eye for detail, with the ability and experience in collecting and analyzing relevant data.- Good IT knowledge, advanced MS Excel skills with ability to build and maintain complex calculators.

What's in it for you?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and motivated sourcing professional make a significant impact in our Fiber and Foodservice segments, working with talented colleagues in an international environment. Huhtamaki offer competitive salaries, strong benefits and a flexible working environment.

Join us to shape the future together