Category Manager - #35191

Company Profile:

A well-established international supply chain and procurement organization specializing in the food service industry. The company partners with restaurant businesses across multiple countries, managing end-to-end supply chain operations including strategic sourcing, supplier management, procurement, logistics, inventory planning, quality assurance, and distribution. With over two decades of industry experience, it leverages a global supplier network, technology-driven solutions, and operational expertise to help its partners maintain efficient and reliable supply chains while supporting business growth.

Must-have Skills / Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant procurement experience working with local suppliers within the Food & Beverage industry Experience in either: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)/Restaurant, or Food Manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge and experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier development, and supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading supplier negotiations, commercial discussions, and competitive tender processes.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and procurement compliance.
• Sound supply chain knowledge.
• Supply chain forecasting experience is preferred but not required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage procurement activities and supplier relationships for assigned local categories in the Philippines.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that drive cost savings, strengthen supplier partnerships, and support regional procurement objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, source, and onboard new suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations, commercial discussions, competitive tender processes, pricing reviews, and contract renewals.
• Negotiate, execute, and manage supplier contracts while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and standards.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships and manage supplier performance against agreed requirements.
• Drive cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives aligned with regional and local business strategies.
• Develop contingency plans and manage procurement risks to ensure continuity of supply.
• Handle procurement-related supply chain escalations, including product shortages, supply disruptions, and supplier issues.
• Work closely with the Southeast Asia Supply Chain team on forecasting, inventory planning, issue resolution, and implementation of agreed commercial terms.
• Coordinate with the Distribution Partner to support product availability and distribution requirements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support product development, new product launches, and commercialization initiatives.
• Present product recommendations, pricing proposals, and sourcing solutions to key business stakeholders.
• Prepare and communicate product, pricing, and supply updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Collect supplier documentation and commercial information required for supplier onboarding and product setup.
• Maintain procurement and commercial information within internal systems and coordinate with the Master Data team to ensure accurate supplier and product records.
• Conduct supplier visits, facility assessments, and market visits to evaluate supplier capabilities, strengthen supplier relationships, and identify sourcing opportunities.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, pricing movements, and sourcing opportunities to support procurement decisions.
• Work closely with regional Procurement, Supply Chain, Commercialisation, Finance, Data, and Legal teams to implement procurement initiatives and business priorities.
• Perform other procurement and supply chain responsibilities necessary to support business operations and strategic sourcing objectives.

Employment: Full-time

Site: Remote

Schedule: Dayshift

Monday - Friday