Category Manager - Procurement

Job Location: Hershey, PA 


Role Overview:

Collaborate with various Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, Logistics, and Research organizations across the company to lead the development and execution of capital equipment, installation, and construction procurement strategies that drive improved business capabilities, provide best cost options, and control contract risk. Lead and develop a team of sourcing specialists, build category strategies, lead sourcing events, negotiate with suppliers, lead cross-functional sourcing teams, and optimize the capital sourcing process.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and Develop Sourcing Opportunities and Specific Sourcing Plans – Lead the development and management of project- and category-specific sourcing plans to proactively support of business needs.​

• Collaborate with Business Owners to gain visibility into spend and identify areas where significant sourcing value can be added and opportunities to aggregate needs and source across projects, geographies, and differing timing of projects.​

• Utilize spend analytics to identify areas of sourcing/savings opportunity in assigned categories.​

• Lead Sourcing Execution – Personally lead, and oversee the team’s leadership of, sourcing events and negotiations to achieve cost savings and cost avoidance targets, including large Request for Proposal (RFP) and other competitive bidding events including conducting due diligence on suppliers, contacting suppliers to communicate requirements, evaluating, optimizing, and negotiating received bids and summarizing findings with the Business Owner.​

• Lead and influence Business Owners to successfully execute the sourcing strategy and to comply with Hershey’s Procurement Policies.​

• Work alongside Business Owners to manage the supplier relationships to ensure service levels and contractual obligations are met.

Qualifications:

• Strong experience with strategy, analytics, and project management​

• Capital sourcing experience preferred, Indirect Sourcing category experience strongly preferred​

• Experience evaluating supplier bids and conducting contract negotiations​

• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement and supply chain management principles​

• Ability to collaborate and influence internal and external stakeholders​

• Strong written and verbal skills with demonstrated experience communicating with business stakeholders and suppliers​

• Ability to work effectively and productively in a team environment.​

• Willingness and ability to learn at a challenging pace and in a changing environment.​

Experience & Education:

• B.S. and/or M.S. in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field of study​

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in Procurement or a Sourcing environment​