Summary: The Category Manager for Juices will strategically source, purchase and manage the supply of raw materials through a carefully evaluated, competent supply base, ensuring that quality, service, cost, terms and conditions are optimized to provide Refresco with a commercial advantage. This role will coordinate the activities required to meet the company quality standards and focus on continuous improvement while contributing to the company's strategy and demonstrating the company values and behaviors.
Essential Functions- Identify and select strategic suppliers to procure juice concentrates from while maintaining strong relationships with key global suppliers.
- Continuous monitoring of fruit and vegetable markets and crop seasonality to react quickly and appropriately when faced with unexpected market conditions.
- Drive value through innovation and collaboration with strategic suppliers and internal customers (Sales, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain and Procurement Finance)
- Provide regular commodity updates for the sales team.
- Develop sourcing plans for assigned juice sub-categories to reduce total costs, optimize value from suppliers and meet internal customer requirements.
- Review, negotiate, and execute the implementation of contractual arrangements per Refresco policy and business objectives.
- Manage new project launches and source new juice concentrates as required.
- Track and monitor consumption & demand to ensure adequate volumes are contracted to meet production demands.
- Prepare annual budget for appropriate commodities.
- Generate cost savings opportunities throughout the raw material supply chain.
- This position will report to the Director, Procurement - North America
RequirementsEducation & Preferred Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Operations or related field required.
- Five (5) years of procurement experience preferably in food/beverage manufacturing.
- Juice, fruit, ingredients, agricultural commodity, or food ingredient procurement.
- Commodity market analysis and forecasting.
- Supplier negotiations in international markets.
- Experience managing commodity risk and long-term supply agreements.
- Food, beverage, ingredients, agricultural processing, or consumer packaged goods industries.
Position-specific skills:
- Creative Thinking: able to think creatively, generating new ideas and approaches to situations.
- Strategic Thinking: able to grasp the big picture and think long-term.
- Attention to Detail: highly attentive to details, change and what factors influence change.
- Assertiveness: able to defend a point of view and to confront others appropriately when necessary;
- Self-Motivation/Time Management: able to determine and prioritize tasks with minimal direction.
- Negotiation Skill: skilled in negotiating, effective in utilizing analysis and creative solutions to extract the greatest value for the company.
- Software Skill: Microsoft Excel proficiency is mandatory, as well as adeptness in PowerPoint and Word. SAP knowledge a plus.
- Written Communication: a good writer; expresses ideas and positions clearly. Ability to compose concise, simplified written descriptions of complex issues, supported by detailed analysis.
- Cross Cultural: Able to interact effectively with people of different cultures and backgrounds.
This role offers direct exposure to global agricultural commodity markets and provides an opportunity to influence sourcing strategies across one of North America's largest beverage manufacturing networks.
Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
- Short-term disability and long-term disability
- Pet Insurance
- Legal Benefits
- 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Days
- Well-being Benefit
- Discount and Total Reward Programs
