Associate Procurement Manager - Farmed Ingredients NA

JOB PURPOSE There has never been a more exciting time to be working in Procurement when you consider the sheer scale of what we are seeking to do in terms of Procurement with Purpose; not only are we seeking to grow the business and drive competitive value but also do good for our planet and society. As Unilever Procurement adapts to the ever-dynamic business environment, we will need to be agile in order to continue our track record of delivery in contributing to the top and bottom line. Inevitably, given the consistent and high quality of our delivery over the past few years, we will be asked to continue this rate of performance and indeed go over and above this standard to ensure the value provided is further enhanced across the scope of our remit. As well as ensuring that we are best in class in delivering the basics, we also must look to the future and continuously evolve to meet the needs of our changing environment - reinventing ourselves for sustained competitive advantage. And of course, we are only half of the picture. Our suppliers are at the heart of everything we do. We need to work more closely than ever with suppliers to co-create sustainable practices and bigger and better innovations. Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Seasoned sourcing professional for Ingredients in North America. This role is responsible for managing a spend of approx. $85M USD of Farmed Ingredients portfolio (pasta, rice, vegetables, herbs, spices & more) and drives key competitive advantage for the Unilever Foods business. Role is focused on developing comprehensive long-term sourcing strategies across the various materials that fit the needs of the CAMM and Dressings business as well as managing ambitious negotiations. Monitor market trends and movements to support cover decisions. Provide the business with accurate price forecasting, which includes understanding market conditions, price trends and future market trends to enable proper budgeting. Drive Unilever’s Sustainability agenda (Sustainable Sourcing, Regenerative Agriculture, Climate and Livelihoods) for assigned ingredients portfolio. Develop and implement global and local procurement strategies working closely with teams and key stakeholders—assess needs of the market, deep value chain understanding, industry analysis. Support APD in close liaison with local and strategy stakeholders on contract governance processes and strategy council submissions Cross functional collaboration with R&D, Category and Operations procurement teams to optimize procurement processes and developing cost savings projects; and ensure seamless supply flow. Competitive supplier selection or development, drive continuous improvement and supplier performance management programs. Actively scout and onboard alternative vendors to ensure a resilient supply network. Supplier Relationship Management for CAMM and Dressings vendors: Support quality and service teams to address concerns / issues. Partner with suppliers to maximize value, derisk top portfolio ingredients and drive innovation projects sourcing strategies. Support compliance requirements with Unilever partner standards. Handle price and invoicing discrepancies and oversee full contract lifecycle management. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience in Procurement or Supply Chain (3+ years) University degree, Masters degree a plus Strong negotiation skills Self-starter Strong analytical skills (including finance) Experience in Cross Functional and cross geography ways of working Strong communication skills and ability to engage and influence others Fluent communication and verbal skills in English Strong ability in managing multiple stakeholders, projects, and deadlines Appetite for change and eagerness to collaborate with stakeholders to drive through improvements Collaborative, team player who focuses on team success above self PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience in ingredient procurement Experience in operations- end to end portfolio management including service & quality At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee. Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities. Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs. Bonus: This position is bonus eligible. Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. ------------------------------------ At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee. Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities. For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check. If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment. Better Business. Better World. Better You. We’ve been pioneers, innovators and future-makers for over 120 years. Learn More