Category Leader - NA Procurement Colors - Erlanger, KY

Archer Daniels Midland Company•Erlanger, KY

46d

About The Position

ADM is seeking a highly motivated and analytical Category Leader - NA Procurement Colors to support the ambitious revenue growth target within the Colors category, with a specific focus on Natural Colors. This incremental position will play a pivotal role in executing the category strategy, ensuring supply assurance, optimizing pricing, and driving innovation in alignment with ADM's broader business goals. The Category Leader will act as a key collaborator across cross-functional teams, leveraging data analysis and supplier insights to deliver measurable results in the rapidly growing natural color segment. This position is critical to achieving ADM's strategic goals in North America, particularly in light of increasing demand for natural colors driven by regulatory changes and consumer preferences. The Category Lead will directly contribute to the success of the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative and ADM's leadership in developing natural dyes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Food Science, or related field.
5+ years of experience in procurement, category management, or supply chain roles, preferably in the food and beverage industry.
Proven track record in managing supplier relationships, executing category strategies, and driving revenue growth.
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel, AS400, Power BI).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Strategic thinking with the ability to translate data insights into actionable strategies.
Strong project management and organizational skills to handle multiple priorities effectively.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MBA or MS) in a relevant field is preferred.
Knowledge of the natural colors market and supply chain dynamics is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Strategy Execution & Supply Assurance:
Collaborate with the Global Category Manager to execute the color category strategy, with emphasis on Natural Colors.
Ensure supply assurance by scouting, analyzing, and onboarding strategic suppliers to meet demand growth.
Support vertical integration initiatives within the natural color marketplace to enhance ADM's competitive position.
Data Analysis & Decision Support:
Leverage analytics to evaluate supplier performance, pricing competitiveness, and market trends.
Identify gaps in raw material supply and develop actionable solutions to address unmet market needs.
Utilize data-driven insights to optimize category performance and streamline decision-making processes.
Innovation & Growth Pipeline:
Assist in the development and approval of new workflows and processes to expand the supply scope of natural colors.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support new product launches and innovation strategies.
Drive initiatives to position ADM as the market leader in natural dyes development.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with finance, marketing, sales, and product teams to validate growth projections and align category goals.
Coordinate efforts across departments to ensure seamless execution of category plans.
Act as a liaison between procurement and other business functions to ensure alignment and efficiency.
Market Opportunity & Compliance:
Monitor market trends, regulatory changes, and industry developments to capitalize on opportunities in the natural colors segment.
Ensure compliance with government initiatives and regulations related to synthetic dye alternatives.