Procurement Category Manager

Are you ambitious, driven, and looking to make a significant impact in a fast-changing environment, where you will take sourcing lead of Capex projects and ensure that the supplier portfolio is suited to deliver production equipment and building construction to optimize the future of dairy.

You will join a team of procurement colleagues, whom are passionate to ensure that they supplier base availably for production equipment is not just capable to deliver to quality and standards fit for future, they are also dedicated to ensure healthy competition in sourcing projects. Together with key stakeholders, we define the required sourcing strategy ahead and we aim to manage supplier relations accordingly.

Our global procurement organization is spread across Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Poland, and Hong Kong and we manage procurement activities with an annual spend of approximately ~3.5 billion EUR in total. You can be based in Aarhus, Düsseldorf, Stockholm or Leeds and report to our Senior Procurement Director of Capex, MRO, utilities and chemicals.

How You Will Make an Impact

Your main responsibility is to define and execute the strategies within your sourcing category, which will mainly cover construction and buildings. This included ensuring to have a competitive and compliant portfolio of suppliers, which can deliver construction projects in all relevant markets. You will also take sourcing lead on in specific Capex projects beyond your own sourcing category, meaning you should have a general interest, knowledge and understanding of production equipment and suppliers across capex categories. When taking sourcing lead of capex projects, you will ensure to define the sourcing plan, align with the project team, ensure a competitive sourcing process and evaluate and recommend supplier rewarding. You will navigate in a matrix organization and work closely with key stakeholders outside your own team, to ensure success. Successfully navigating the complexity of your sourcing category and designated capex projects, your key responsibilities will include

• Involving internal senior key stakeholders and driving souring strategy for your category.
• Establishing, developing and taking lead of strong, long-lasting, and dynamic supplier relationships.
• Profound understanding of industry standards and construction contract in relevant markets.
• Working closely together with key stakeholder internally to ensure successful and competitive execution of sourcing projects
• Taking lead to execute tenders, negotiating projects and leading sourcing and supply management activities.
• Developing expertise and providing senior-level advice on sourcing tactics and supplier capabilities within your category.
• Building and maintain transparency to souring pipeline and ensuring performance reporting is followed.

In terms of travel, you can expect approximately 20-30 days per year to visit suppliers and Arla dairies at various locations in Europe. This travel will enable you to strengthen relationships and gain valuable insights.

What Will Make You Successful

Your qualifications include a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in a similar role. Your innate project management mindset, coupled with strong analytical skills, allows you to seamlessly transition from a high-level strategic view to execution and diving deep for valuable insights. You excel in business partnering, building positive relationships, and effectively managing stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Your thoughtful communication and flexible project management ensure smooth and efficient processes.

Having a good understanding of complex negotiations, contracts, and the commercial and strategic aspects behind them is equally important in this role.

• You bring at least 5 years of extensive experience in sourcing, and preferably, you have experience involved in category management and the area of construction.
• Your technical knowledge of production equipment and building construction, specifically in the food and beverage industry, is a considerable advantage.
• Your fluency in spoken and written English is excellent.

You are fearless when it comes to challenging the status quo, and your courage and exceptional stakeholder management skills empower you to negotiate effectively and rally the right individuals when introducing new ideas. Your genuine interest in our business field drives you to proactively conduct research, ensuring a deep understanding of the global supply market. You thrive in a dynamic, international work environment where objectives and priorities are continuously evolving and developing.

What Do We Offer?

Join a high-performing team with a great culture and spirit, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and make a real impact. At Arla, we’re committed to professional growth and promoting from within. Our positive and collaborative culture brings out the best in everyone, and you’ll be part of a market leader that produces nutritious, household-favorite brands in a sustainable way—benefiting customers, our farmer-owners, and the world.

Would You Like to Join Us?

We are conducting interviews for this position on an ongoing basis, so please apply as soon as possible. For additional information, please submit our application without further hesitation, as we will close the recruitment when the right candidate has been found. In case of further questions, you may contact Procurement Senior Director Ninna Normand Helles at ninoh@arlafoods.com