Senior Procurement Specialist

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA • Solon, OH

1d • $82,531 - $114,491

About The Position

The Senior Procurement Specialist manages relationships with direct and/or contract manufacturing spend and categories. The role combines procurement specialist support for some categories with full category management for others. It serves as a key link among procurement, in-market and above-market category management, and stakeholders to optimize sourcing, supplier selection, pricing, contracting, and ongoing supplier management. The position applies global and local sourcing strategies to business needs, contributes to category strategy development, identifies value-creation opportunities, and leads cross-functional projects. It also resolves escalated gaps and risks related to supply or scope of work, communicates improvement pipelines and sourcing constraints, and serves as the point of contact for OSCAR projects and KPIs for monthly MORs.

The position influences business performance through supplier strategy, sourcing optimization, commercial negotiations, contract management, innovation, and risk mitigation. It supports the supply base for Nestlé Health Science brands and products, working in a fast-paced environment that requires strategic thinking, agility, business acumen, and collaboration.

The role may be remote or hybrid depending on the selected candidate's geographic location. Preference is given to candidates within commuting distance of Bridgewater, New Jersey; Solon, Ohio; or Arlington, Virginia.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of purchasing and/or material management experience and/or technical/manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Detail-oriented and self-starting.
• Ability to analyze information and present findings clearly and cohesively.
• Ability to work independently to identify and research relevant market, industry, and supplier information.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous situations and manage external vendor relationships.
• Ability to develop processes and identify continuous improvements to better coordinate activities.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to form and grow networks.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or higher.
• CPM certification.
• SAP, Ariba, and I-Nexus experience.
• Purchasing, material management, or technical/manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term category sourcing strategies that minimize risk and financial exposure while providing sourcing flexibility for business needs.
• Optimize sourcing, supplier selection, pricing, and commercial agreements.
• Develop a continuous-improvement project pipeline to deliver year-over-year productivity.
• Participate in or lead supplier performance reviews with functional partners.
• Support new product and technology launches and leverage supplier partnerships to secure innovative technologies.
• Support processes such as tail-spend management using digital, automated, and/or AI platforms.
• Manage budget and price forecast reviews using relevant tools, cost modeling, and market knowledge.
• Provide focused support to manufacturing.
• Serve as the single point of contact for factory escalations and drive sustainable resolutions.
• Own OSCAR projects to drive savings and ensure supply and compliance objectives.
• Monitor business goals and help periodically reassess targets.
• Ensure information flows between factory teams and Procurement to deliver business and functional strategies.
• Seek proactive feedback and enable focus on high-value returns.
• Understand business requirements and challenges, including priorities, must-win battles, and key value drivers, and communicate them to category management teams at NIM and Nestrade.
• Lead Monthly Category Reviews as required.
• Represent the Above Market and At Market Procurement Team in Ideas and stakeholder/business requirements as assigned.
• Share business objectives, challenges, projects, requirements, and expectations with the Category Management Team to inform strategic planning.
• Support stakeholders, including Supply Chain, CTAG, Quality, and Finance.
• Act as the single point of contact for assigned categories.
• Provide insight into Nestlé pricing and opportunities to increase overall profitability.
• Assist in developing strategies for critical items at assigned facilities as required.
• Identify local supply risks and develop sustainable mitigation strategies.
• Participate in sourcing strategies and Business Continuity Planning, including key meetings, stakeholder engagement, and interactions with local suppliers and category managers.
• Identify and ensure implementation of projects that reduce the risk of out-of-stock inventory.
• Represent projects through the PMP.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Performance-based incentives and bonus eligibility.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Healthcare coverage.
• A broad range of other benefits supporting physical, financial, and emotional well-being.
• Professional growth, development opportunities, and opportunities to learn from colleagues around the globe.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level