Strategic Sourcing Manager

Zentis - We Are Fruit Masters!

Zentis is Europe's number one fruit processing company and one of the leading brand manufacturers of jams, sweets, and custard-based desserts. The Company's North America operations are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Plymouth, Indiana, where we produce fruit and dairy preparations for a variety of customers including yogurt, ice cream and bakery manufacturers. This is an in-office position.

Effectively manage indirect procurement activities, and procedures to deliver optimal value to the organization. Evaluate machinery components and supplies, in cooperation with maintenance staff to ensure critical spares are identified and available. Hands-on activity to identify, recommend, and purchase equipment components, services, and packaging materials. Drive cost optimization activities to manage external spend. Recommend improvements for indirect procurement methods and processes. Implement approved supplier agreements and contracts, defining expectations for quality, delivery, pricing, and service levels. Identify potential projects by analyzing category spend and market analysis to achieve best value and best cost models. Analyze industry trends, new technologies, and buying power to stay current with best practices, and discover new opportunities while minimizing risk.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations, and contract execution for capital equipment, technical services, and contractors.
• Negotiate and purchase indirect services and materials at best value in accordance with company policy.
• Lead sourcing and commercial activities for capital equipment, engineering services, and facility improvement projects.
• Identify critical spare components and evaluate delivery times to ensure proper stocking levels are in place
• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to identify opportunities, preferred suppliers, and best practices across facilities.
• Evaluate MRO inventory to identify obsolete and slow-moving parts
• Work closely with maintenance and engineering departments to source equipment parts and services with goal of reducing down time.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance to ensure compliance to laws, regulations, and company standards, while achieving optimal company results.
• Identify potential projects by analyzing category spend and to deliver improved products and lower costs through negotiations, strategic sourcing, category management and total cost principles.
• Support R & D, Production, Engineering and Maintenance Departments with new product launches.
• Identify, develop and manage strategic business relationships with OEMs, engineering firms, contractors, and key technical service providers.
• Manage both internal and external customers and suppliers to deliver favorable terms, effective outcomes and great service at best cost for the organization. Identify and maintain list of alternative suppliers for indirect supplies and services. Perform supplier audits.
• Maintain list of approved and preferred suppliers that deliver expected performance levels.
• Monitor supplier performance during project execution to ensure adherence to quality, safety, delivery, and project milestones.
• Negotiate commercial terms including pricing, warranties, service agreements, performance guarantees, delivery schedules, and contractual risk mitigation provisions.
• Support project budget management by tracking committed spend, identifying cost savings opportunities, preferred suppliers, and best practices across facilities.
• Support equipment selection decisions by evaluating total cost of ownership, supplier capabilities, project timelines, technical requirements, and long-term operational impact.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and Finance throughout the project lifecycle, from initial concept and supplier selection through implementation and commissioning.
• Monitor, track, and report savings and make recommendations to Sr. Management for new potential projects and cost reductions, especially on maverick buying spend.
• Monitor and analyze market trends to identify opportunities for improvements.
• Implement "Lean" principles in procurement activities. Standardize across the company where possible.
• Resolve invoice and payment discrepancies. Work with suppliers and internal customers to ensure efficient flow from initial order to final payment

Specific Experience and Key Knowledge Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business. Will consider combination of relevant work experience with formal education.
• Minimum of seven years in a purchasing role.
• Strong negotiation skills with ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in supporting manufacturing capital projects and facility expansions.
• Experience in sourcing industrial equipment, automation systems, utilities, engineering services and construction related services.
• Experience with procurement activities for projects in excess of $ 1 million.
• Self-motivated and ambitious, ability to operate without direct supervision.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Able to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment, with multiple priorities and challenging deadlines.

Special Skills and Abilities:

• Good working knowledge in SAP or similar MRP software
• Excellent analytical skills. Able to evaluate risk vs. return and make good business decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret contractual documentation.
• Knowledge of contract terms, applications, and legal requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, with expert level in pivot tables, file merging, and data import.
• Experience at leading cross functional teams for successful results.
• Good understanding of both written and spoken English.
• Ability to communicate in German is a plus