Commodities Group Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:
Leads multiple Strategic Buyers in their sourcing and category management efforts for Commodities (coffee, cocoa, sugar, fats, sweeteners & nuts). Develops and implements risk management (futures/options) and physical buying strategies. Work with demand planning to gather and evaluate requirements (volume, specifications, vendors) and include in sourcing events. Negotiate and implement contracts to support business needs. Oversees contract compliance for categories of responsibility. Ensures and manages business relationships with key suppliers. Serve as acting buyer for specified categories. Leads the identification and implementation of cost reduction projects in concert with internal customers. Coordinates relationship with NPPC and Dreyers as it pertains to lead buy (strategic) or support function, (operational).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assist Head of Purchasing in developing, implementing and communicating the overall NBS Purchasing strategy and strategic buyers to develop specific category strategies and deliver to customers.
~ Establish category priorities based on benefit opportunities.
~ Manage costs in the total supply chain.
~ Establish performance management for categories owned and associated vendors.
~ Develop vendor relationship management strategies.
~ Sets clear goals and standards for direct reports.
~ Monitors category KPIs and gathers feedback through internal and external sources (e.g., suppliers, clients, spend analysis, etc.).

Own the development and implementation of the sourcing/risk management and fulfillment strategy for specified group of categories
~ Own vendor relationships for specified category.
~ Optimize supply base moving towards a few strategic vendors.
~ Manage relationships with key customers and ensure delivery in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
~ Lead contract negotiation strategy, and support strategic buyer negotiations, where appropriate.
~ Lead development of the negotiation strategy.
~ Lead vendor diversity initiatives for category/categories.

Develop the professional, industry, and procurement skills of multiple category team members.
~ Coach and develop direct reports, assesses their readiness for new roles, and identify development opportunities for them (e.g., mentoring, lateral transfers, participation on task forces, etc.).
~ Manages performance of direct reports and customize individual development plans with them.
~ Ensure category teams share leading practices and lessons learned, use consistent methodologies, and pursue deliverables that are aligned with corporate and subsidiary strategic objectives.

Complete other projects as assigned by Head of Purchasing.

For well over a century, Nestlé has been making the very best food and beverage products for families around the world. In the U.S., Nestlé's well-known brands include: Nestlé® Toll House®, Nestlé® Nesquik(tm), Nestlé® Carnation® Coffee-mate®, Stouffer's®, Stouffer's® Lean Cuisine®, Nescafé®, Libby's® Juicy Juice®, Buitoni®, Taster's Choice®, PowerBar®, Nestlé® Crunch®, Nestlé® Butterfinger®, Wonka®, Friskies® Fancy Feast®, ALPO®, and Mighty Dog®.

For the eighth consecutive year, Nestlé USA was named 'Most Admired Food Company in America' by Fortune magazine. Nestlé in the USA is comprised of the following: Brands Company (including Beverage Division, Confections & Snacks Division, Foreign Trade Division and the Sales Division), Nestlé Prepared Foods Company, Buitoni North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company and Nestlé Business Services. Within each company, there are functional support groups to produce, market and deliver quality brands and products to our consumer.

Headquartered in Glendale, Calif., Nestlé USA has 21,000 employees, $12.5 billion in sales with 51 manufacturing facilities, 5 distribution centers and 59 sales offices across the country. For more information, visit us at www.nestleusa.com

EOE/MFDV
Nestlé is an 'Equal Opportunity Employer' and is looking for diversity in candidates in employment.
REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience, MBA preferred
Travel 15%-25%

EXPERIENCE:
~ Five or more years of purchasing experience and three or more years of Commodity futures/options trading and physical buying.
~ Category specific knowledge of two or more categories for which the job is accountable (Coffee/Cocoa/Sugar/Fats/Corn Sweeteners).
~ Demonstrated category management and leadership experience.
~ Candidate must be a demonstrated quick study, proven ability to manage change, ability to work across boundaries and borders, strong decision making.
~ Excellent communicator, politically persuasive, demonstrated skills in collaboration, proven ability to develop direct reports, and ability to interact with senior leadership in the organization.
~ CPM certification a plus.
~ Ability to lead in an empowered environment.

SKILLS:
Leadership, management, financial, and strategic negotiating skills

Critical Competencies and Functional Knowledge:
~ Service Orientation
~ Results Focus
~ Lead People
~ Purchasing Industry Knowledge
~ Sourcing Strategy Development and Implementation