Senior Manager, Strategic Category

Senior Manager, Strategic Category

Job Type
:
Full-time

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. We produce award‑winning dairy products and offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses, Président® specialty cheeses, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Break stone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, Parmalat®, and a growing portfolio of yogurt brands such as siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Yoplait®, and many more.

Locations
:
Bedford, NH;
Chicago, IL;
Buffalo, NY;
Minneapolis, MN.

• Prepare its budget with input on the budget assumptions from the Senior Director Procurement and the global Strategic Procurement team.
• Support all strategic procurement activities for all 7 different divisions in the USA and Canada.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for all category responsibilities. Present and support strategies to internal stakeholders.
• Develop strategic partnership with key suppliers.
• Identify and execute negotiation cost‑saving initiatives.
• Cross‑functional support on global strategy and negotiation initiatives led by the global procurement team by providing pricing specifications, vendor listings, market intelligence, and negotiating at local level for finalization.
• Support and manage company acquisitions and work cross‑functional with the global procurement team and other company functions.
• Through in‑depth knowledge and analysis of key cost drivers, develop local sourcing strategies, qualify vendors, tender, negotiate, implement, and manage all contracts for the category at the zone level and for all the various divisions.
• Partner with and provide purchasing support and insight to the other functions within all Lactalis North American divisions as required.
• Identify and execute value analysis and vendor transfer savings opportunities as a cross‑functional effort to deliver cost reduction targets and optimize other performance measures.
• Potentially lead and manage direct reports by establishing goals and priorities, providing work direction, reviewing performance, providing work support with suppliers, and in conjunction with the Senior Director, determining training and development needs.
• Perform administrative duties such as tracking cost‑saving initiatives and providing monthly status reports.

• Travel is required up to 25% monthly.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs.
• Tools such as a computer, phone, and/or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.
• This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy.
• Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well‑being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company’s overall performance and success.

• Bachelor’s degree is required.

• 6+ years of procurement function in a related field or category, preferably at a food company, is required.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, SAP or similar business systems experience.
• Experience in negotiating complex multi‑year agreements through RFP/RFQ bidding processes.
• Packaging experience preferred.

Salary
: $120,000 – $140,000

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.

We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, offer Paid Time Off from day one, and provide training and development opportunities including educational reimbursement.