Procurement Category Leader – Dairy, Vanilla Egg - Erlanger, KY

Procurement Category Leader – Erlanger, KY

This is an exempt level position.

Are you a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to make a meaningful impact? We are seeking an experienced Procurement Category Leader to join our team and help drive sourcing strategy, supplier performance, supply assurance, and growth across key ingredient categories. This is an opportunity to take ownership, build strong cross-functional partnerships, and expand your category management capabilities within a dynamic global organization.

The Procurement Category Leader – NA Ingredients supports the sourcing and category management of Vanilla, Dairy, Egg, and other strategic ingredient categories. This position is responsible for executing category strategies, managing supplier performance, supporting supply assurance, identifying cost and market opportunities, and enabling innovation and growth. The role works closely with Procurement leadership and cross‑functional partners while providing an opportunity to develop broader category management expertise and take on increasing levels of responsibility.

• Execute category and sourcing strategies for Vanilla, Dairy, Egg, and other assigned ingredient categories
• Manage day‑to‑day supplier relationships and supplier performance
• Support supply assurance through supplier diversification, qualification, onboarding, and risk mitigation
• Develop and implement sourcing initiatives that improve cost competitiveness, resiliency, and business continuity
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, pricing, and supply risks
• Identify cost savings, cost avoidance, supply improvement, and sourcing opportunities
• Support supplier negotiations, commercial agreements, and implementation activities
• Manage supplier engagement supporting innovation, commercialization, and new product development
• Coordinate ingredient samples, supplier qualification activities, and sourcing requirements for new product launches
• Partner with Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Product Development
• Provide procurement, supplier, and market updates supporting S&OP and business planning
• Track category performance, supplier metrics, savings, and other procurement KPIs
• Develop category expertise and market intelligence to support strategic decision‑making
• Identify opportunities to expand ADM's supplier base and sourcing capabilities
• Support continuous improvement of procurement processes and workflows

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills
• Ability to analyze pricing, market trends, supplier performance, and supply risk
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to independently drive projects and follow through on commitments
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools
• Working knowledge of ERP and procurement systems
• Ability to develop market knowledge and category expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Food Science, Agriculture, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, category management, supply chain, or a related field
• Experience managing suppliers and supporting commercial or sourcing activities
• Experience working cross‑functionally to execute business initiatives
• Experience using data and market information to support business decisions
• Travel up to 20%, some international travel may be required.

• Experience with in the food, beverage, flavors, or ingredient industry
• Experience supporting Vanilla, Dairy, Egg, or similar food ingredient categories
• Experience with strategic sourcing and category management
• Experience with Power BI, ERP systems, and procurement analytics tools
• Experience supporting new product development, commercialization, or innovation initiatives
• Demons…