About the position
At Nestlé USA, we're all working towards the same goal - to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity - and responsibility - to be there for every moment in our consumers' lives. Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive. This role serves as the primary interface for the assigned category within Nestrade and collaborates closely with business and functional leadership across Nestlé USA for Information Technology & Digital. You are an expert in the category, responsible for setting procurement strategies for relevant spend areas and localizing globally created strategies. You will identify value-creation opportunities and lead cross-functional projects, focusing on supplier strategy, collaboration, risk mitigation, innovation, and sustainability.
Responsibilities
- End-to-end management of assigned IT categories, including localization of global strategies and development of market-specific strategies.
- Coordination with suppliers and Nestrade (global purchasing entity) buyers to ensure alignment and execution of strategies.
- Execute Nestlé's 7-Step Strategic Sourcing Process in the North American market, driving value generation through sustainability, innovation, and cost improvements.
- Identify and implement savings initiatives based on a deep understanding of business unit requirements and challenges.
- Analyze spend data and cross-functional impacts to identify savings opportunities and calculate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
- Benchmark against competitors and promote supplier-led innovation to unlock value.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with IT leaders and stakeholders, positioning as a valued partner to influence business decisions.
- Communicate risks and issues effectively to key stakeholders, escalating significant issues as necessary.
- Proactively manage supplier relationships to reduce contractual risks and identify areas for innovation and cost savings.
- Lead contract negotiations in collaboration with Nestlé's legal, finance, and IT security teams.
- Define and implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential disruptions in the supply chain.
- Suggest and implement improved ways of working, introducing new processes or re-engineering existing ones to support key priorities.
- Leverage intelligence tools and participate in professional associations to learn best practices and industry trends, applying insights to category strategies.
- Ensure compliance with all procurement and company policies, procedures, and practices, promoting adherence across the organization.
- Apply project management principles to drive cross-functional teams in the effective delivery of business objectives for both day-to-day activities and key projects.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in global procurement and sourcing processes, legal contract negotiations, and contract management systems.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and experience with SAP, Ariba preferred.
Nice-to-haves
- Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and influence a diverse set of stakeholders.
- Strategic mindset with quantitative, problem-solving, project management, and negotiation skills.
- Proven ability to analyze and present findings clearly and cohesively.
- Experience in managing change and navigating ambiguity to drive solutions independently and collaboratively.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise across boundaries and influence with integrity.
- Familiarity with IT procurement trends and technologies.
- Experience in managing IT supplier performance and compliance.
- Knowledge of sustainability practices and their application in procurement.
