Associate Manager, Category Management

About the role

IFF is looking for an Associate Manager, Category Management to join its Indirect team in Asturias, Spain (hybrid role). You will manage assigned indirect spend categories in the EMEA region, covering HR, fleet, marketing and communications and professional services, and support the management of category costs and supplier performance.

Key responsibilities

• Manage assigned indirect spend categories in EMEA and develop, maintain and execute sourcing strategies for a competitive, cost-effective portfolio of materials and services.
• Support year-over-year savings, working capital improvements, supplier development and supplier relationship management.
• Build relationships with key suppliers, negotiate master agreements and commercial terms, and address supplier performance issues.
• Conduct spend analysis, market intelligence and supply-market analyses, and develop regional category strategies.
• Identify, onboard and manage suppliers, and optimise and consolidate the supplier base.
• Collaborate with EMEA and global procurement teams and monitor category performance against KPIs.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management or supply chain, preferably in indirect spend categories.
• Preferred: experience with HR, fleet, marketing and communications and professional services categories, including consulting and legal.
• CPSM, SPSM or a related certification, knowledge of SRM and category management best practices, and fluent English (an additional language is a plus).

Required skills

• Ability to develop and execute sourcing strategies, lead competitive sourcing, negotiate commercial agreements and manage supplier performance.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills.
• Stakeholder management and collaboration across functions, countries and levels.

What we offer

• A collaborative, international environment within a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health and biosciences.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.