Category manager preparation equipment north america; franklin park, il

Category Manager Preparation Equipment North America (Franklin Park, IL, US)

Data: 27/02/2026

We have a current opening for a Category Manager Preparation Equipment North America, and are actively reviewing applications.

• To define/deploy the Global Category Strategy for Procurement Category of competence, in order to optimize costs, maximize supply, quality and pursuit continuous improvement of service level;
• To proactively manage internal and external stakeholders, communicated in a transparent and effective way and interact fairly and following Ferrero Ethic code and Ferrero Code of Business;
• To scout potential region / continental Suppliers eligible to be qualified and eventually to be proposed as Group Suppliers in order to support needs of North American’ industrial footprint.
• To define and/or to manage the list of Global Partners: with each of them to negotiate the Global Master Agreements and the International Price List, to settle down Strategic Scenarios and the Relationship System (key people, tools, yearly agendas, T2T meetings)
• To manage Strategic Negotiations, by Project and/or by Contract, and sourcing events with focus at North America area and in relation to Process Equipment category, in order to optimize the industrial result of Ferrero Group Companies
• To define Ferrero Preparation Equipment Category Strategy road-map with focus on implementing and/or facilitating related projects stream (i.e. S2P Program, Equipment Standardization, Process Equipment Category Vision, projects)

In coherence and full alignment with Ferrero Strategic Plan (Budget/PS3) and with overall Preparation Equipment category road-map, always keeping in consideration technical and technologic developments and potential industrial constraints both at Central and Local level.

In addition to the definition of the Preparation Equipment Procurement Strategy and the following implementation plan, Category Manager has the objective also to ensure the implementation plan for North America throughout the road-map and targets defined at Central Level for Equipment Standardization, Best Cost Country Scouting, Strategic Sourcing.

To manage Global Partners entities (Supplier’s HQs or Local branches) for Preparation Equipment and overall, as indirect responsibility, for with specific reference to North America Area, rationalizing existing central and local portfolio in accordance with Central Categories guidelines and introducing new potential regional ones eventually escalating them at Group level in cooperation with Project Engineering, Resident Engineering and Maintenance Team.

To ensure the Supplier knowledge under a technical, organizational, economic and financial perspective monitoring the Supplier portfolio from a Responsible Sourcing perspective.

To ensure the correct implementation and development of managed category through the collaboration with main internal stakeholders (Operations and Maintenance Teams), acting at Central Level in coherence with Technical Procurement function and following Preparation Equipment category strategies and principles.

Cooperates with Technical Engineering and Central Maintenance Department in the sourcing process for the category managed at Group level and, regionally, for the extended Preparation Equipment, ensuring the analysis, evaluation and negotiation of the offers received, proposes qualified and trustable alternatives for the specific sourcing, in order to gain the maximum possible benefit in terms of industrial costs, quality, delivery timings and service level.

Focus on North America as far as Preparation Equipment scouting activities of new suppliers and technology innovation according to Procurement guidelines and in support to Area Procurement.

Continuous technical and market update on Category under responsibility, with the goal of a full knowledge of global market, through participation to Industry Fairs and Workshops and the aim to identify and potentially introduce within Supplier Group perimeter, technologies, and Partners with direct focus on improving Service Level for the entire Organization.

• Strong English oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Leadership Skills
• Technical Skills
• Proven Negotiation skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of procurement process
• Knowledge of contractual agreements
• Knowledge of other languages is a plus
• Knowledge or experience in CPG Companies Procurement and/or Industrial functions is a plus

4-7 years of experience

Artificial…