Manager - Sourcing

Overview:

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply.

Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious, and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever were with, whatever were doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary:

- Our non-OFI ingredients sourcing spend is exposed to the commodities market. With its fluctuations in available resources and related prices this strategic role is critical to our business objectives and will have a big impact on our mission and success. As Sourcing Manager within OFI Food and Beverage Solutions, reporting into the Head of Contract Manufacturing EMEAI, you will focus on procurement, commodity management, and developing a future-proof strategy. You'll be responsible for developing and adjusting our buying policy depending on market conditions and aligned with ofis risk appetite.

- We expect you to closely monitor market trends, make strategic recommendations, and redefine our approach for strategic commodities. In addition to the responsibilities mentioned earlier, a significant part of your role will be to ensure cost-effective sourcing of our non-OFI ingredients, secure a reliable supply, and actively contribute to our sustainability strategy.

- Directly responsible for a group of ingredients sourced outside of OFI / Olam, relevant for the Food and Beverage Solutions business across the EMEAI region. Working in a cross functional basis within the F&BS business.

Position Responsibilities:

- Lead the sourcing strategy for ingredients not in OFIs current portfolio, required to drive growth within our Food and Beverage Solutions business (eg sugar, oils and fats, additives).

- Continuously track market trends in line with business context, trigger/advise purchase decisions in alignment with the Head of Contract Manufacturing EMEAI and relevant business head(s).

- Build, manage lead-time, and lead RFPs (Requests for Proposal) and develop should-cost analysis.

- Lead the development, negotiation, and execution of key contracts with key suppliers to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery of all allocated ingredients portfolio. Medium level contracting activities involving development and supply of products, intellectual property, third party investments, in order to protect the business and minimize / avoid liabilities.

- Develop and implement a comprehensive commodities strategy, regularly review methodologies and be mindful of potential risk mitigations.

- Make sure ofi's has competitive prices for all allocated ingredients, leveraging on market research and co-developing alternatives with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

- Project manage, build, identify and execute cost savings initiatives across the allocated ingredients portfolio, tracking progress against budget/savings and delivering regular reports to senior management.

- Organize and facilitate regular meetings to support informed decision-making with up-to-date market insights.

- Supplier Relationship Management (incl. supplier segmentation, business review meetings, improvement projects etc. where relevant and aligned within the strategy)

- Partner with other functions on cross-functional projects relevant for the allocated ingredients portfolio (e.g. implementation of systems, global master data, sustainability reporting etc.).

- Accountable for continuously improving supplier performance including service and quality.

- Provide contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply of his/her portfolio of materials.

Position Requirements

Youre an ideal candidate if you have/are:

- 8+ years of experience in the commodities market, with a strong preference for experience in sourcing relevant F&BS ingredients, like sugar, oils and fats, or additives.

- Technical understanding of food ingredients, as well as experience in sourcing such materials.

- Ability to work seamlessly across different teams, influencing and collaborating to achieve shared goals.

- Balances day-to-day operations with long-term strategic planning, ensuring both immediate and future needs are met.

- Ready to dive into the details, managing tasks directly when needed while maintaining a broad perspective.

- Strong problem-solving skills, with a solid financial acumen for analysing complex data and making informed decisions.

- Thrives in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, making sound decisions with limited information.

- Proven experience in developing and implementing effective buying strategies.

- Fluent in English (both verbal and in writing), as well as one of India's official languages.

- Adherence to OFI Food and Beverage Solutions values: Our Business Make our Customers Win, Frontline Obsessed Get Things Done, Entrepreneurs Embracing Challenge, Having fun TOGETHER.