Procurement Category Lead

Aston Carter•St. Louis, MO

1d•$48 - $53•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic and comprehensive procurement professional to join our team as a Procurement Category Lead. This role requires someone who can manage a category from cradle to grave, focusing on strategic rather than transactional procurement. The successful candidate will lead and support local, regional, and global procurement activities, including formal category management, savings and risk management initiatives, NPD and ESG initiatives.

Requirements

5 years of comprehensive procurement experience (cradle to grave procurement).
Experience in leading and managing categories.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Comfortable using Excel for data analysis.
Determination, grit, and strong work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Experience in raw materials and/or ingredients procurement is preferred.
Experience in the food and/or beverage industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and facilitate sourcing initiatives for assigned categories.
Manage strategic commercial negotiations using product-appropriate bid technology such as e-RFX and e-auctions.
Ensure all agreements adhere to internal approval and legal requirements.
Support risk management initiatives by identifying and approving alternate suppliers.
Assist plant buyers with the expedition of supplier purchase orders when necessary.
Gather and provide regular 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.
Coordinate communication and implementation of marketing-initiated artwork changes with suppliers.
Analyze and evaluate potential supplier ESG risks and implement corrective actions.
Approve invoices, investigate and resolve price discrepancies, and assist in budget preparation.
Coordinate creation and maintenance of vendor price records and contracts within ERP.
Provide escalation of supplier responses to customer complaints and nonconformance issues in cooperation with Quality Assurance.
Support initial supplier approval and reapproval processes.
Coordinate plant trials and ensure proper documentation in the trial database.
Provide necessary input for annual supplier assessments.
Create and maintain procurement reports and monthly KPI tracking.