Procurement, Category Manager

Procurement Category Manager

Based in our Corporate Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for over 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty-Asian and food-ingredient trade channels. We are committed to following our two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers. Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all of its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company's overall management approach.

We are looking for people who are seeking to deliver their best so that we can deliver ours. Above all, we're dedicated to maximizing the potential of our greatest assets—our team members. That's reflected in our ongoing commitment to recruit, develop, reward, and retain our talented, multicultural workforce. Join the Mizkan family and be a part of sales strategies for our iconic brands!

The Procurement Category Manager owns end-to-end performance and strategy for assigned ingredient and material categories, driving enterprise value through strengthening supplier relationships and improved performance across quality, service, innovation, and cost. This role combines strategic category leadership, commercial ownership, and cross-functional decision making with a stronger focus on supplier development, supplier collaboration, and long-term supply base capability.

The Procurement Category Manager will lead key supplier relationships within assigned categories and lead commercial activities – including sourcing, negotiation, contract support, and cost savings initiatives - while owning total value delivery across cost, working capital, and supply risk. This role will lead cross-functional teams to optimize material specifications, supply solutions, and total cost performance. This role will co-own supplier onboarding, ingredient qualification, and commercialization outcomes in partnership with Quality, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain.

Essential Functions:

• Define and lead multi-year category strategies for assigned ingredient categories aligned to P&L impact, supply resilience, growth objectives, new product development, and supply continuity.
• Lead complex commercial strategies, including supplier selection, should-cost modeling, and negotiations focused on total value (cost, yield, service, and risk), not just price.
• Provide market intelligence, supplier insights, and risk assessments to support sourcing decisions and category direction. Translate market insights into actionable strategies, including scenario modeling and forward-looking risk mitigation plans.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned suppliers, building strong, collaborative partnerships that support long-term business goals with focus on innovation, capability expansion, and value creation.
• Define and manage supplier performance across total value metrics, including service, cost competitiveness, innovation contribution, and operational performance (e.g., yield, waste, and reliability).
• Develop and implement supplier development plans designed to improve performance, reduce risk, enhance alignment, and create long-term value including driving supplier-enabled process, formulation, and material improvements.
• Work with suppliers to resolve service, supply, and performance issues proactively and drive corrective actions where needed while identifying root-cause drivers and systemic improvement opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen supplier capabilities, improve communication, and support more effective collaboration across the supply base and align supplier capabilities with Mizkan's long-term cost structure and growth strategy.
• Co-own category outcomes with Quality, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain, including material selection, specification design, new supplier and ingredient onboarding, and commercialization activities.
• Support cross-functional teams in troubleshooting supplier- or ingredient-related issues that impact service, launches, or operational performance and proactively drive improvements in material performance, yield, and cost structure.
• Lead alignment across stakeholders, challenging requirements and specifications to optimize total value.
• Perform other duties assigned that support the overall success of the team, department, or organization. This may include participating in cross-functional initiatives, contributing to process improvements, or assisting with special projects as needed.
• This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required for this role.
• Regular, predictable, in-person attendance on the business days the Company requires in-person attendance at this facility. (In-person attendance is optional on the other workdays.) For non-required-in-person attendance days, employees are expected to be present and engaged during the designated work hours for this role.

What You Bring - Skills/Competencies

• Proven ability to identify and deliver value beyond price (e.g., spec optimization, cost structure transformation).
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience managing ambiguity and leading decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, influence stakeholders, and drive results in a changing environment.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to leverage data to inform decisions and quantify business impact.

Education/Experience/Qualifications/Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in business, supply chain, procurement, or a related field required.
• 3–7 years of experience in procurement, supplier management, category management, supply chain, or related functions.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and commercial activities in a manufacturing, food, beverage, or ingredient environment preferred.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and commercial negotiations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; ERP systems (e.g., Dynamics 365) coupled with strong systems-thinking capabilities and applied AI fluency to enable data-driven insights and decision making.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions

• Ability to remain seated at a workstation for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day).
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Ability to view computer screens and read printed materials for prolonged periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, and reaching within the office environment.
• Ability to lift and carry office supplies or equipment weighing up to 10–15 lbs.
• Adequate hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person and via phone/video.
• Travel up to 20%.

Compensation & Benefits

• The salary range is $84,000 - $119,000 per year
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible to receive overtime pay
• Note: Compensation is based on several factors and may vary based on market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
• This role is eligible for a Short-Term Incentive Bonus
• A full range of medical, dental, vision, 401K plus up-to-four percent (4%) match, profit sharing, wellness program, paid parental leave, long-term-care insurance, critical accident insurance, short- and long-term disability and education assistance are also available

Work Schedule & Location

This is a hybrid position based in Schaumburg, IL

Mizkan America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.