Procurement Category Manager - (Aarhus, Duesseldorf, Bremen)

Procurement Category Manager for Filling equipment (Capex), Aarhus, Düsseldorf or Bremen.

Are you ambitious, driven, and looking to make a significant impact in a fast-changing environment, where you will take lead to ensure sourcing of production equipment to our dairies is optimized and cost competitive? And, do you know how to set strategic direction for your category, build and lead supplier relations to ensure a compliant and competitive supplier portfolio?

You will join a team of procurement colleagues, whom are passionate to ensure that the supplier base availably for production equipment is not just capable to deliver to quality and standards fit for future, they are also dedicated to ensure healthy competition in sourcing projects. Together with key stakeholders, we define the required sourcing strategy ahead and we aim to manage supplier relations accordingly,” says Procurement Senior Director Ninna Normand Helles.

How You Will Make an Impact Being based in one of our offices in either Aarhus, Düsseldorf or Bremen, you will take global ownership of the Capex category of filling equipment. You will take lead to define, execute and mature the category strategies. You will manage strategic Supplier Relations and ensure to define and manage a portfolio of compliance and relevant suppliers within your category to ensure competitive sourcing can be performed in all capex projects and tenders.

Besides your category responsibility, you will take sourcing lead of key Capex projects and engage actively with the Project Manager to ensure relevant, compliant and competitive supplier selection in the project. This included definition of tender packages in the project, creation of sourcing plan in alignment with the project team, selection and onboarding of suppliers, management of tenders, negotiations and finalization of contracts.

Successfully navigating the complexity of your sourcing projects as well as your designated sourcing category, your key responsibilities will include

Defining and driving Category strategy, commitment and engagement of key stakeholders and execution of relevant actions to deploy strategic direction. Ensure a compliant and relevant supplier portfolio in your category by establishing framework agreements with relevant suppliers to cover business demand and ensure competition. Establishing, developing and lead strong, long-lasting and dynamic supplier relationships and ensure annual SRM plans are conducted. Lead and manage execution all sourcing activities in key Capex projects with high level of complexity and time dependencies, including sourcing plan, supplier selection, tendering, negotiation and contracting. Set sourcing and negotiation strategy and take lead to execute accordingly to ensure competitive sourcing and objective supplier evaluation and rewarding. Working closely together with key stakeholder internally to ensure successful and competitive execution of sourcing projects. Conduct supplier and site visits to maintain knowledge of equipment and competences and challenges among suppliers as well as internally at Arla sites.

In terms of travel, you can expect approximately 20-30 days per year to maintain supplier relations and visit Arla dairies at various locations in Europe.

What Will Make You Successful Your qualifications include a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in a similar role from a global organization. Your innate project management mindset, coupled with strong analytical skills, allows you to seamlessly transition from a high-level strategic view to execution and diving deep for valuable insights. You excel in business partnering, building positive relationships, and effectively managing stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Your thoughtful communication and flexible project management ensure smooth and efficient processes.

Having profound understanding of complex negotiations, capex contracts, and the commercial and strategic aspects behind them is equally important in this role. Your experience therefor includes, but is not limited to At least 5 years of extensive experience in strategic sourcing related to Capex/production equipment. Profound experience as sourcing lead of complex tender projects and negotiations. Experienced Category Management and know how to set and drive a category strategy, and how to establish a compliant and relevant supplier portfolio for your category. Good technical understanding and knowledge of Capex/production equipment and understanding of the supplier base across capex categories. Specific knowledge from the food and beverage industry, is a considerable advantage. Your fluency in spoken and written English is excellent.

You are fearless when it comes to challenging the status quo, and your courage and exceptional stakeholder management skills empower you to negotiate effectively and rally the right individuals when introducing new ideas. Your genuine interest in our business field drives you to proactively conduct research, ensuring a deep understanding of the global supply market. You thrive in a dynamic, international work environment where objectives and priorities are continuously evolving and developing.

What Do We Offer? Join a high-performing team with a great culture and spirit, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and make a real impact. At Arla, we’re committed to professional growth and promoting from within. Our positive and collaborative culture brings out the best in everyone, and you’ll be part of a market leader that produces nutritious, household-favorite brands in a sustainable way - benefiting customers, our farmer-owners, and the world.

Would You Like to Join Us? We are conducting interviews for this position on an ongoing basis, so please apply as soon as possible. For additional information, please submit our application without further hesitation, as we will close the recruitment when the right candidate has been found. In case of further questions, you may contact Procurement Senior Director Ninna Normand Helles at ninoh@arlafoods.com

Our global procurement organization is spread across Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Poland, and Hong Kong. This position will report to Senior Procurement Director of Capex, MRO, utilities and chemicals.

Shape the Future of Dairy Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

#LI-BRVIS Ref. 112102

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