Sr. Manager, External Manufacturing - Pasta Sauce

Job Description Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Shape and drive the long‑term vision for the category, ensuring external partner strategies align with Kraft Heinz’s business needs
• Act as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership and cross‑functional teams, influencing key decisions that determine the future footprint of the category
• Lead high‑stakes contract negotiations and transformation initiatives, ensuring projects feed into long‑term strategy.
• Conduct and synthesize complex analyses (market data, cost drivers, supplier capabilities, financial modeling, risk assessment) to inform sourcing decisions and category strategies.
• Own and execute the end‑to‑end sourcing process, from market research and opportunity identification through RFPs, supplier selection, negotiation, and implementation.
• Build and maintain strong internal and external relationships to increase influence and drive collaborative achievement of business goals.
• Serve as primary relationship manager for strategic suppliers, leading performance discussions and resolving complex business challenges, including being the primary point of contact for performance and risk issues.
• Leverage market insights and industry trends to inform decision‑making and drive innovation.
• Develop and implement multi‑year category strategies based on data, insights, and business requirements.
• Ensure the strategic sourcing process is robustly applied to all sourcing projects in line with applicable policies & procedures.

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, finance, business, or related field; MBA preferred. Candidates with extensive relevant experience will be considered instead of a degree.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience in Procurement, preferably in external manufacturing procurement, with relevant category expertise.
• Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills, as well as interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Effective negotiator and influencer with demonstrated examples with internal stakeholders and external suppliers/partners.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand and explain Procurement results and variances to non‑Procurement audiences.
• Proven project management and solid analytical and consultative skills; able to make sound, data‑driven business decisions. Prior experience with business case development and multi‑workstream project management is critical to success in this role.
• Experience in developing long‑term business strategies and confidence when doing so.
• Possess extensive experience in the sourcing life cycle process and fully grasp the tools needed to complete the process.
• Ability to multi‑task, attention to detail, organized, outstanding customer service skills.
• Judgment to handle confidential information and complicated business situations; ability to lead and influence others; project management, problem‑solving, leadership, and team‑building skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and understanding of source‑to‑pay tools (SAP, Ariba, Workday, etc.).

This position is considered a normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open work spaces. To create a more agile and modern workplace, we allow Chicago/Aon Center‑based employees to work virtually up to two days each week and expect them to work in person during the defined core days at their assigned work location at least three days per week.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $ - $

Bonus:
This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

• Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, with plans tailored to meet your family’s needs.
• Wellbeing: we offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social,…