Category Manager, Procurement

The Hershey Company is seeking a Category Manager, Procurement in Hershey, PA. This role involves managing category strategy, supplier relationships, and risk management for categories with over $100M in spend. Responsibilities include establishing sourcing plans, financial budgeting, and stakeholder collaboration. Candidates should have strong procurement experience and a relevant degree. The position requires regional travel in North America up to 25%.
Job Title: Category Manager, Procurement

Location: Hershey, PA

Role Overview

Position is responsible for the category management, supplier relationship management, value delivery, sustainability & resiliency of their assigned categories of $100M+ in spend and team of 1-3 direct reports.

Top Responsibilities / Outcomes Expected
• Lead to establish category strategy, strategic sourcing plans and execution to ensure supply resilience, BCPs, multi-year roadmap for CI, innovation and sustainability to unlock values, deliver competitive advantages and proactively support business needs. Strategy includes, but not be limited to, Supplier Segmentation, SWOT analysis, Should Cost Model, Industry Benchmarking, Strategic considerations for the category alternative options and qualification, sustainable sourcing all integrated into strategic sourcing plans.
• Build Risk Management, Financial Plan Budgeting and Deliver Finance Plan. Establish risk management strategies based on market dynamics analysis, supply and demand data, historical & current trends etc. Secure approval from CCC and lead flawless execution to bring competitive advantages to the Hershey Company’s total cost of ownership, cost visibility and manage prices fluctuations.
• Establish Supplier Management & Development: build supplier mgmt. to create Supplier Strategy. Manage supplier relationship and contract negotiation. Identify and activate benefits beyond contractual commitments. Manage supplier performance issues and challenges with potential exit plans due to loss of business, performance or other risks. Collaborate with cross-functional team on new supplier identification, development and qualification. Routinely pursue knowledge of relevant industries market trends and technology improvements. Use current information in evaluation of suppliers' capabilities and to determine potential uses of other alternatives to improve cost and performance.
• Stakeholder Management and Collaborations: partner and influence Business Owners to successfully execute the sourcing strategy, deliver business goals and comply with Hershey’s Procurement Policies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Strong experience with strategy, analytics, technology solutions or application of AI, and project management
• Strong experience leading RFP and conducting contract negotiations
• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement and supply chain management principles
• Ability to collaborate and influence internal and external stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal skills with demonstrated experience communicating with business stakeholders and suppliers
• Ability to work effectively and productively in a team environment.
• Willingness and ability to learn at a challenging pace and in a changing environment.
• Regional travel in NA requirement could reach 25%

Experience & Education
• B.S. and/or M.S. in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field of study
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Procurement or a Sourcing environment
• Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods and sourcing of both direct and indirect materials/services is preferred