Specialist, Strategic Sourcing F&B

We are seeking strategic-minded Category Specialist to support sourcing activities within Food & Beverage. You will develop and implement category strategies, optimize the supply chain, and drive cost‑savings initiatives. Your role includes conducting market research, analyzing spend data, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to meet business needs. You will manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and monitor supplier performance to ensure compliance and continuity of supply.

Additionally, you will prepare and present reports on category performance and sourcing activities to senior management, providing insights for strategic decision‑making.

As Category Specialist your daily responsibilities include:

• Develop and expedite category strategies to meet company objectives
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships within the assigned category
• Conduct market research to stay informed about industry trends and best practices
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand category needs and requirements
• Analyze spend data and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions
• Manage risk and ensure continuity of supply within the category
• Prepare and present reports on category performance and sourcing activities to senior management.

• Development of an effective long‑term strategic sourcing plan for highly complex categories and projects that create long term value while meeting brand objectives, including value creation, supply continuity, risk mitigation, and innovation. Effective collaboration on strategic sourcing categories and projects within the organization and stakeholders; developing relationships to become a trusted sourcing partner. Ensuring cross‑functional engagement and support of category projects and initiatives.
• Apply category management best practices, tools and techniques in the development and implementation of an integrated strategic sourcing strategy to assess the overall opportunity within the categories for projects. Serving as a subject matter expert on strategic sourcing categories with the stakeholders and fostering effective relationships.
• Maintain focus on project timelines and deliverables to ensure business goals and objectives are met. Strong partnership with Finance team to accurately forecast impacts of category strategy, including scenario modeling.
• Researching best practices and conducting baseline due diligence to best understand opportunities for savings, reducing TCO, improve efficiencies, quality improvement and service of the sourcing teams. Lead supplier qualification, segmentation and certification programs.
• Effective supplier relationship management; leveraging data, metrics, and internal feedback. Providing and reviewing score cards to improve supplier results. Developing early supplier involvement to ensure suppliers are utilized to their full capabilities and proactively providing input to provide low cost, efficient, and quality goods and services. Effectively influencing change and buy‑in across the stakeholder group and leadership.
• Implement gold‑standard contracts across strategic supplier base. Negotiate strategic supplier contracts, develop innovative pricing models and agreements to deliver value to brands.
• Document activities to share results, best practices and develop a playbook within the sourcing teams.

• Scope:
  The Category Specialist operates within the Food & Beverage sourcing function, supporting the development and execution of category strategies across the organization. This role has a direct impact on optimizing the supply chain, ensuring cost efficiency, and maintaining continuity of supply for critical business operations. The position collaborates with cross‑functional teams, including procurement, operations, and senior management, to align sourcing activities with overall business objectives.
• Problem solving:
  The role requires analyzing complex spend data, identifying cost‑saving opportunities, and resolving…