Sr Manager Category Procurement

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Main Responsibilities:

Supplier Relationship Management:

Build strong strategies within the category to obtain high-quality, low-cost flexible films that support the Hershey brands.  Negotiate supply agreements/contracts with suppliers.  Create and maintain documentation (including but not limited to: Continuity plans, supplier segmentation, supplier scorecards).  Maintain and monitor financial viability for suppliers of assigned categories to reduce the risk to THC.

Market Leadership: 

Develop risk management strategies through category management that ensure price visibility aligns with the company’s business plans. Understand and articulate the supply/demand, cost drivers, competing industries, supplier options, and regulatory environment, and ensure our sourcing strategies support both our current and future needs.  Report market status to leadership as needed.  Communicate pertinent information on the market to other functional areas such as QRC, R&D, Plant Ops, and Manufacturing Alliances.

Category Management Development:

Lead the collaboration with Supply Chain, R&D, and other appropriate departments to identify and lead innovation sourcing and continuous improvement, such as cost savings, quality improvements, alternate supplier qualifications, supplier diversity, and working capital improvement within the context of the commodity strategies.  Minimize supplier proliferation.

Data & Technology:

Partner with our Global Procurement Center of Excellence to help advance our data & tech roadmap.  Function as a category leader to help drive new technology tools and advance our use of Shared Services to reduce the complexity within our procurement processes. 

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Solid personal presence with the ability to interact with confidence and credibility at all levels of the organization.
• Build and maintain strategic alliances and other high-level contractual relationships.
• Ability to review, comprehend, and negotiate with impact, complex purchase agreements/contracts.
• Knowledge of varied and complex supply markets as well as world economics and currencies, and their impact on the business.
• Ability to analyze and screen suppliers for financial, supply, and service capabilities.
• Knowledge of purchasing principles/techniques and inventory analysis and control.
• Ability to resolve conflicts, misunderstandings, and problems with suppliers in a manner that produces fair and timely resolution of issues.
• Strong, demonstrated skills and expertise in supply chain management.

• Agile and flexible to changing demands and workload to ensure timely results.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.  Able to effectively build and manage relationships.  Seeking feedback, input, and strives for excellence.
• Translates information and data into recommendations and actions.
• High self-confidence level, high motivation, and the ability to challenge and be challenged.
• Able to work under pressure.
• SAP knowledge
• Intimate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Well-balanced, strong leadership capabilities: Ability to lead progressively more complex and higher-spend cross-functional teams through controversial issues while maintaining focus on end results.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Master's Degree or 5-12 years bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Economics, or related field of study, or equivalent, required
• 2 of 3 category experiences & expertise across packaging, ingredients and indirect professional services.