Nestle

Sr. Specialist Procurement Category Manager (Sr. Category Buyer)

Nestle$90K — $111K *
Food & Beverages
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Agriculture or related field; OR High School Diploma with extensive negotiating experience.
  • 3+ years' experience in strategic procurement, marketing, logistics, or supply chain management.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop sourcing strategies based on business needs and market insights.
  • Experience in managing supplier relationships, particularly in the meat industry.
  • Strong analytical skills for conducting supplier and risk analyses.

Responsibilities

  • Lead sourcing strategy and execution for assigned categories focusing on cost optimization and supply continuity.
  • Collaborate with factory teams to resolve supply issues and support operational needs promptly.
  • Engage directly with suppliers to oversee requests and ensure timely and complete material delivery.
  • Manage OMP-related activities to enhance supply planning alignment and visibility.
  • Conduct risk analyses to uncover opportunities for cost savings and risk mitigation.
  • Organize a portfolio of sourcing milestones and deliverables for effective action tracking.
  • Support sourcing and supply chain activities across the wet and dry product categories.

Benefits

  • Support for professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Collaborative work environment focused on innovation.
  • Emphasis on responsible sourcing practices and supplier relations.
  • Exposure to a dynamic portfolio within the food industry and direct negotiation avenues.
Full Job Description
Position Summary

Our roots were planted here in 1894, and we have since expanded to 24 manufacturing facilities nationwide. St. Louis, a hidden gem, offers a unique blend of big-city amenities and a small-town feel. Discover a rich culture, world-class schools, top-notch healthcare, and affordable living. With neighborhoods to suit every lifestyle, St. Louis is the perfect place to call home. Join us in this vibrant city, where we proudly work together to make a difference in the lives of people, our pets and the environment.

As a Sr. Specialist Procurement Category Manager (Sr. Category Buyer - Direct Materials), you'll lead sourcing strategy for ingredients and packaging from start to finish. By using business needs and marketing insights, you'll build strategies that reduce costs, strengthen supplier relations, and support responsible sourcing practices. You'll turn data and market intelligence into actionable plans that align with business priorities, improve supply reliability, and drive value. You will also identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement while ensuring sourcing decisions support both day-to-day operations and long-term goals.

  • Lead sourcing strategy execution for assigned categories, balancing business priorities, supply continuity, cost optimization, and long-term category goals.
  • Partner closely with factory teams to address day-to-day supply issues, respond to urgent requests, and support uninterrupted operations in a fast-paced environment.
  • Interface directly with suppliers to manage requests, monitor performance, and ensure materials are delivered on time and in full.
  • Own OMP-related activities for assigned categories, supporting planning alignment, execution, and supply visibility across the network.
  • Conduct supplier, category, and supply risk analyses to identify opportunities, mitigate risk, and improve total cost of ownership.
  • Manage a dynamic portfolio of priorities, including sourcing milestones, rolling calendar deliverables, financial reporting, and other business-critical activities.
  • Support sourcing and supply activities across the wet and dry network, including supplier relationships within the meat industry such as poultry, pork, and beef.


Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Agriculture or related AND 3+ years' experience in strategic procurement, marketing, logistics, supply chain, or related OR High School Diploma AND 10+ years' experience in direct negotiating experience.


The approximate pay range for this position is $90,000 to $111,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location.

Job Requisition: 400827

About Nestle

Nestlé S.A. is a Swiss multinational food and drink processing conglomerate corporation headquartered in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland. It is the largest food company in the world, measured by revenue and other metrics, since 2014. It ranked No. 64 on the Fortune Global 500 in 2017 and No. 33 in the 2016 edition of the Forbes Global 2000 list of largest public companies. Nestlé's products include baby food, medical food, bottled water, breakfast cereals, coffee and tea, confectionery, dairy products, ice cream, frozen food, pet foods, and snacks. Twenty-nine of Nestlé's brands have annual sales of over 1 billion CHF, including Nespresso, Nescafé, Kit Kat, Smarties, Nesquik, Stouffer's, Vittel, and Maggi. Nestlé has 447 factories, operates in 189 countries, and employs around 339,000 people. It is one of the main shareholders of L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics company. Nestlé was formed in 1905 by the merger of the "Anglo-Swiss Milk Company", established in 1866 by brothers George and Charles Page, and "Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé", founded in 1867 by Henri Nestlé. The company grew significantly during the First World War and again following the Second World War, expanding its offerings beyond its early condensed milk and infant formula products. The company has made a number of corporate acquisitions, including Crosse & Blackwell in 1950, Findus in 1963, Libby's in 1971, Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988, Klim in 1998, and Gerber in 2007.
Learn more about Nestle
Industry
Founded
1866

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Nestle

More Food & Beverages Jobs

Find similar Sr. Specialist Procurement Category Manager (Sr. Category Buyer) jobs: