Short Intro and About the Job

As part of the North American 3PM (3rd Party Manufacturing) Procurement team, the primary purpose of this position is to manage our Contract Manufacturing supply base within the Protein Shakes, Happy Family, and Dairy Yogurt Category in the U.S..

This mandate will be accomplished through new suppliers scouting, leveraging current supplier base, implementing sourcing strategies, supplier and contract management, project management, supplier evaluation, and budget & productivity management.

This position requires proven sourcing experience & related skills as well as effective cross functional project leadership, negotiation, collaborative, analytical and communication skills. Experience in Contract Manufacturing or Contract Manufacturing sourcing will be a strong asset.

Position Responsibilities:

Sourcing Strategies & Market Analysis

• Sourcing strategies development through market studies to identify best practices, identify gaps, risks and opportunities as well as to identify new suppliers and develop a supplier base;

• Conduct supply market analysis and drivers for spend categories to track market, evaluate cost proposals, and ensure 3PM business is aligned with market;

• Support growth through identification and implementation of adapted partnership with retained suppliers;
• Participate in Make Or Buy process for new initiatives to support sourcing decisions

• Execute best practice strategic sourcing practices, leveraging Danone North America's purchasing power
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in terms of pricing, quality and supply chain aspects.

Supplier and Contract Management

• Implement Supplier Relationship Management to improve suppliers performance, establish best quality, collaboration, innovation and cost
• Support initiatives to find available innovation/production capacity/capabilities
• Develop and launch RFQs / RFPs (request for quotation/proposal) to select suppliers in targeted categories

• Analyze the proposals and make recommendations to key internal stakeholders
• Negotiate quality, time and cost of service as well as other commercial terms and conditions
• Lead contract ratification activities, assuring interaction with supplier and Legal teams

Project Management

• Collaborate with R&I & Marketing innovation teams by providing key insight on current capabilities, manufacturing site potential, and economic feasibility.

• Assisted by the project management team, participate in projects implementation by respecting the budgets / schedules / standards quality of Danone, using the appropriate tools.
• Continuously monitor, review and communicate the project status (with respect to contractual commitments of the supplier).
• Anticipate and alert key stakeholders in case of non-compliance with the contractual commitments.
• Assure that proper cross-functional project management process between business unit teams and the co-manufacturer is in place and followed.
• Assisted by 3PM Operations team, implement industrial performance metrics with the co-manufacturer plants and monitor/support continuous improvement.
• Support commercialization of new platforms and capabilities from concept to launch including conducting operations feasibility, and project management follow ups.

Supplier Evaluation

• Set up standard KPIs for Suppliers within assignment;

• Evaluate and manage the global performance of Contract Manufacturing suppliers;
• Define the objectives of improvement of performance and the necessary action plans;
• Manage the implementation of action plans.

Budget & Productivity Management

• Manage overall spend for Contract Manufacturing sourcing;
• Establish the budget, track variances and manage risks for respective area through work with Finance and Contract Manufacturing stakeholders;
• Identify new projects to create savings opportunities, validate with finance, seek and attain buy-in for these projects, build budget with other functions, realize and track savings

The salary range for this position is $81,000-116,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

This role is considered a "hybrid" position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.

About You

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Science, Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 2-5 years' experience in Strategic procurement, Contract Manufacturing, Operations Management or similar role
• Experience in the food-processing industry, especially perishable products is an asset
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional, multi-cultural, matrix environment
• People management: the individual must demonstrate future capability as well as demonstrated cross-functional / peer to peer leadership through coaching and stewardship;
• Proactive: anticipates issues/opportunities & can work through multiple simultaneous projects
• Rigorous data analysis capability and financial acumen
• Ability to develop and implement sustainable initiatives, and lead change by engaging people
• Language: English mandatory; French an asset