Category Manager, Transportation

Description

The Category Manager of Transportation will be responsible for leading all strategic planning and sourcing activities for 2 + related subcategories (e.

g. Dedicated Full-Truckload and CPU) with total spend of $270 Million across the Kraft Heinz NA enterprise and various suppliers.

This position will leverage their experience and knowledge to build comprehensive strategies at the category level and execute the strategy through the sourcing process.

They will drive program compliance through Supplier and Contract Management creating value for Kraft Heinz. This position will drive sustainable strategies that will actively seek to reduce and / or control costs for transportation services while increasing efficiencies for the business.

This position will work closely with the stakeholders in Logistics, various Business Units, Customer Excellence, Operations and Corporate functions to provide innovative services to meet business objectives.

The successful candidate must be able to focus on balancing superior service to internal business clients, while maximizing value for the company of services purchased.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Key competency expectations for the role are the ability to deeply understand and utilize procurement processes,

tools, and systems, execute & oversee lifecycle management process, be a proven expert in category planning,

development & execution, as well as ability to achieve tangible results in competitive and non-competitive

supplier negotiations both directly and as a coach to others.

Manage mid to executive-level clients and supplier relationships on an ongoing basis to ensure customer

satisfaction

• Lead Sourcing and Category Management for North American Transportation categories to Kraft Heinz
• Establish and deliver performance goals for categories representing a significant amount of spend
• Lead strategic sourcing projects for supplier selection / optimization to execute Category Management

vision and strategies

Manage Supplier Relationships and conducts Supplier Business Reviews High Level Escalation Point for

Performance and Risk Issues (e.g. experience with National & Regional Transportation Industry leaders is

a plus)

• As part of Supplier Management, segments suppliers at category level
• Develop and manage supplier base for specific categories
• Lead discussions with critical suppliers around long-term objectives and strategies, ongoing market

trends, innovation and technology advances, and potential investment decisions

• Support major supplier issues and work with stakeholders to identify and drive resolution
• Identify business needs at the sourcing and category project level in assigned areas
• Develop multi-year category vision and strategy based on the data, insights and business requirements.
• Build strong business relationships to increase influence over total category spend
• Identify and evaluate potential value generating projects based on complexity, resources, risk, time to

implement, and estimated financial impact

• Manage prioritized portfolio of projects for the category in the near and long term
• Lead the supplier selection and RFx award process
• Execute highly complex contracts in accordance with policies and processes; ability to apply competency

across categories

Applies expert level of negotiation techniques and tools in all situations; ability to apply competency

across categories

Actively maintain a strong understanding of category dynamics (current market, pricing, cost drivers,

industry, and supplier variables) through trade groups, publications, etc. and communicate changes to

business stakeholders

Manage Total Cost of Ownership at the category level through collaboration with Data Analytics, accountable for measuring and reporting value delivery - Enable continuous process improvement and cost reduction - Ensure the strategic sourcing process is robustly applied to all sourcing projects - Is a positive challenger and influencer - Collaborates with global procurement peers to ensure support of and alignment with the supported functions - Directly manage and develop internal and third-party administrator team resources

Requirements :

Education : Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience : 3 to 5+ years of experience in Indirect Procurement, preferably Logistics and Transportation and / orindustry experience

Computer Skills : Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Familiarity with eProcurement Source-to-Pay tools desirable (e.

g. Ariba, Jaggaer & Workday a plus), Experience in Supplier Performance & Risk Management tools desirable

Communication Skills : Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required, presentation, and negotiation skills are required

Special Skills : Must have experience in developing long-term business strategies. Specifically, establishing strategic direction based on insights into both external market indices, global supply chain, and the organization's overall capabilities.

Recognized as an established expert in respective field. Develops strategy that aligns function with organizational goals and generates results that will have a positive impact on the function / business unit.

Must have extensive experience in the sourcing life cycle process and have a strong grasp of the tools needed to complete the process.

Strong negotiating skills; ability to multi-task, attention to detail, organized; judgment to handle confidential information and challenging business situations;

ability to lead and influence others; project management, problem solving, leadership and team building skills.

Supervisory : Not applicable

Travel : May require travel up to 6 or more domestic trips per year

Accountability and Scope (as applicable) :

of People Managed : N / A

$’s Managed : $270 Million

Organizational Influence : North America

Customers / Suppliers Supported : 15+

Client Facing : Yes

Supplier Facing : Yes

Location(s)

Chicago / Aon Center