Job Title: Procurement Category Lead

Job Description

We are seeking a strategic, comprehensive procurement professional to join our team as a Procurement Category Lead. This role requires an individual who can manage a category from start to finish, focusing on strategic procurement rather than transactional tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support local, regional, and global procurement activities, including formal category management, savings and risk management initiatives, and NPD and ESG initiatives.

• Complete and accurately maintain procurement reports and documents.

• Work with the Procurement team to achieve annual cost savings targets.

• Manage all aspects of sourcing for assigned categories.

• Lead and facilitate sourcing initiatives.

• Conduct strategic commercial negotiations using appropriate bid technology.

• Manage the post-bid process, ensuring compliance with internal approval and legal requirements.

• Support risk management initiatives by identifying and approving alternate suppliers.

• Assist plant buyers with supplier purchase orders as needed.

• Provide market analysis, benchmark data, and supplier evaluations to support sales initiatives.

• Analyze inbound freight spend and identify savings opportunities in coordination with the logistics team.

• Support regional and global procurement initiatives.

• Minimize working capital through extended payment terms, supplier inventory programs, and economic order quantity analysis.

• Coordinate communication and implementation of Marketing-initiated artwork changes with suppliers.

• Analyze potential supplier ESG risks and implement corrective actions as necessary.

• Approve invoices and resolve price discrepancies.

• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and monthly reforecasts.

• Maintain vendor price records and contracts within the ERP system.

• Escalate supplier responses to customer complaints and nonconformance issues in cooperation with Quality Assurance.

• Support initial supplier approval and reapproval processes.

• Maintain current procurement documents in the document library.

• Coordinate and document plant trials in cooperation with plants and the Technical department.

• Support annual supplier assessments.

• Provide requested data to internal customers and external suppliers in a timely manner.

• Create, maintain, and provide timely inputs to periodic procurement reporting mechanisms and monthly KPI tracking.

Essential Skills

• 5 years of comprehensive procurement experience (cradle to the grave procurement).

• Experience in leading and managing categories.

• Strong determination, GRIT, and work ethic.

• Analytical skills and attention to detail.

• Comfortable using Excel.

• Experience with packaging materials/products such as glass jars & lids, cellophane, foil laminate, plastic pails & lids, multiwall kraft bags & totes, and corrugate boxes, cartons & trays.

• Experience in the food and/or beverage industry.

  About Aston Carter:

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Aston Carter, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent

• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection

• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes

• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.