Raw Materials Procurement Specialist - North America

Ferrero•Chicago, IL

1d•$96,708 - $128,944•Hybrid

About The Position

We have a current opening for a Raw Materials Procurement Specialist – North America and are actively reviewing applications. As the Raw Materials Procurement Specialist – North America, you will lead sourcing and procurement activities for assigned raw material categories, ensuring continuity of supply while driving value through strategic sourcing, supplier management, cost optimization, quality performance, and risk mitigation. In this role, you will collaborate closely with global procurement teams, suppliers, manufacturing operations, quality, finance, and other cross-functional stakeholders to execute procurement strategies that align with Ferrero's global sourcing objectives while supporting North American business needs. This position is hybrid, and will be based in our commercial offices in Chicago, IL.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
2–5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or purchasing.
Experience working within a matrix or global organization.
Knowledge of raw material markets and sourcing best practices.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive results.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Experience working with SAP or similar ERP systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience sourcing raw materials within the food, consumer packaged goods (CPG), manufacturing, agricultural, chemical, or related industries.
Experience conducting supplier negotiations and managing commercial agreements.
Knowledge of commodity markets, procurement risk management, and supplier performance management.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned raw material categories across North America, ensuring continuity of supply, quality standards, competitive pricing, and reliable delivery performance.
Execute and implement global raw material procurement strategies while adapting to regional market requirements and business objectives.
Support the development and execution of category strategies that drive cost savings, supply security, and operational efficiency.
Manage procurement budgets, cost forecasts, and savings initiatives for assigned categories.
Lead sourcing projects and supplier selection activities, including Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), supplier evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers to support long-term business objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.
Monitor supplier performance through key metrics related to quality, service, cost, innovation, and delivery.
Partner with suppliers to identify opportunities for value creation, process improvements, and cost optimization.
Conduct market and commodity analysis to monitor industry trends, pricing movements, and supply market dynamics.
Identify and proactively manage supply, pricing, and market risks through effective risk mitigation strategies.
Develop contingency plans to minimize potential supply disruptions and maintain business continuity.
Collaborate effectively within a global matrix organization, partnering with Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and other key stakeholders.
Influence and align local and global stakeholders to support strategic procurement initiatives and business priorities.
Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, governance standards, and procurement best practices.
Leverage SAP and other procurement systems to support purchasing activities, reporting, supplier management, and category performance tracking.
Utilize data and analytics tools to support decision-making and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.