Regional Category Manager - Food Ingredients EMEA

About the role

IFF is looking for a Regional Category Manager to join its Food Ingredients EMEA Procurement team. The role develops and executes sourcing strategies to secure the reliable supply, competitiveness and optimisation of key raw materials across Food Ingredients manufacturing sites in EMEA. It is a hybrid position that can be based in Asturias (Spain), Leiden (Netherlands) or Brabrand (Denmark). The Food Ingredients business unit is expected to be sold to CVC Capital Partners by the end of Q2 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare, negotiate, manage and coordinate assigned raw material categories across EMEA: sugar, acidulants, salt, phosphates and additional ingredient categories.
• Own the performance of the portfolio, including category strategy, supplier management, sourcing initiatives, portfolio optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate supplier agreements that deliver commercial value while minimising risk.
• Work with Operations, Commercial, Quality, Supply Chain and Technical teams to align sourcing with business priorities.
• Communicate market developments, sourcing initiatives and supplier performance to stakeholders and act as the procurement representative in the region.
• Monitor market trends, cost drivers and supply risks to support sourcing decisions.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Procurement, Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Economics or equivalent.
• Relevant procurement, sourcing or category management experience.
• Preferred: experience in food ingredients, chemicals, manufacturing or FMCG.
• Fluent in English.

Required skills

• Strong analytical and commercial skills.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Ability to work across functions and cultures, with strong communication and presentation skills.

What we offer

• Medical coverage for you, with optional family coverage.
• Pension plan.
• Life and accident/disability insurance.
• Benefits Club with discounts and savings.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Hybrid work profile.