Senior Manager - Direct Materials Procurement

Senior Manager – Direct Materials Procurement (Winston‑Salem)

Reynolds American is evolving into a global multi‑category business. The Senior Manager – Direct Materials Procurement in Winston‑Salem will oversee sourcing of raw materials and manage procurement projects for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for raw materials, ensuring alignment with the company’s objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, reliability, and service.
• Maximize and review materials localization opportunities to support strategic sourcing goals.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to secure advantageous terms.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure continuous supply of raw materials.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and audits of suppliers to ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Lead and manage procurement‑related projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget and quality standards.
• Serve as the main point of contact for other Markets to understand their material needs and align them with local sourcing capabilities.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including R&D, production, and quality assurance teams, to support new product development and other strategic initiatives.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and budgets, and monitor progress against these plans, with responsibility for functional performance and results.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards.
• Prepare and present regular reports on procurement activities, including spend analysis, cost savings, and supplier performance, to guide executive and operational decision making.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of procurement professionals.
• Set clear goals and expectations for the team and provide regular feedback and performance evaluations.
• Identify potential supply chain risks and develop risk mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions and maintain continuity in the supply of critical materials.
• Responsible for mitigating risk related to single source materials through negotiation with suppliers (Robust BCP) and finding and qualifying alternative sources and reviewing submissions plan.
• Implement the company’s annual savings plan for all Direct Materials Categories.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, commodity prices, and economic indicators to make informed decisions that mitigate cost fluctuations.
• Estimate price inflation expectations which will be included in the Financial Planning Cycle, impacting company‑wide budgeting decisions.
• Collaborate closely with quality teams to establish and enforce strict quality standards for procured materials, ensuring they meet or exceed product specifications.
• Ensure quality KPI’s are in place and reviewed during the Performance meetings and proper actions plans are in place to address issues.
• Collaborate with the Global Procurement team to ensure that the company’s needs and opportunities are identified and translated into projects aimed at delivering savings.
• Act as the central liaison with other Markets to gather requirements and identify local sourcing options in the U.S.
• Collaborate with the legal and compliance teams to ensure that procurement activities adhere to relevant regulations in the U.S.

• Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent, in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial and Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience as a New Product Introduction Analyst, Logistics Manager, or a related procurement role.
• Experience must include:
  • Supply chain, especially raw materials sourcing and project management in the tobacco industry;
  • Finance and accounting, including budgeting, cost control, treasury, and business case evaluation;
  • Materials used in Fast‑Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) or Cigarettes, Traditional Oral, Modern Oral, and vapor products;
  • Internal and third‑party manufacturing processes;
  • Production planning (demand forecasting, Purchase Order placement, and capacity);
  • Risk management, including geopolitical risk, currency…