Procurement Manager - Raw MaterialsWant to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast-growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure, and people? Then this is the place for you.As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient, and positive because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration, and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.This is an extremely exciting opportunity for an experienced Procurement professional to join the team in a strategic role with UK and Europe responsibilities.Role Purpose:We are looking for an experienced FMCG procurement manager with a passion for delivering results and growth. Filled with energy and drive to develop relationships with suppliers and key internal stakeholders to support business ambitions. You will have a desire to grow your skills, engage teams across the business, and take people with you at each stage. You will be highly analytical, numerate, and able to communicate your clear vision effectively to all levels in the business.As a Regional Procurement Manager, you will build, lead, and manage the category strategies for Raw Materials for the UK&I region. Reporting to the Procurement Head for the UK & I, you will play a critical role in ensuring supply continuity, cost optimization, and sustainable sourcing for your category.Key Responsibilities:Strategic responsibilities:Lead, develop and implement regional category strategies for Raw Materials, focusing on key strategic deliverables: cost out, cash flow, supply continuity, sustainability, and innovation.Develop strong and positive relationships with key partners to align procurement objectives with business needs.Build and lead the SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) across regional strategic suppliers.Collaborate cross-functionally with regional teams (e.g., manufacturing sites, supply chain, and R&D partners) to deliver regional projects for productivity and business continuity.Create, develop, and implement key strategic projects, working in coordination with regional counterparts such as R&D, supply chain, and quality teams.Share best practices and benchmarks across regions and the global team.Implement all regional procurement-driven processes & tools within their team and category.Provide input into the category and supplier segmentation, managing suppliers operating locally and not under the radar of the global category.Prove historical and current year spend and volume data to the global head, in order to align the global strategy with the regional needs.Build cost breakdowns and should cost models where relevant.Assess Commodity and Conversion markets.Elaborate tender documents & supplier selection criteria for your regional categories.Operational responsibilities:Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing sites to ensure on-time and complete deliveries, minimizing risk.Ensure the category has a robust contract balance process in place.Lead AOP (budgeting process) for the Raw Materials category within the region.Continuously monitor the market for intel, new suppliers, and horizon scanning.Finalize contracts with suppliers and ensure compliance to pladis Ts&Cs.Gather all necessary requirements (volume, specifications, service levels, KPIs) from stakeholders.Manage closely current volumes, spend, and specifications by supplier.Evaluate and challenge supplier specifications to ensure alignment with business requirements.Input contracts into the local systems, implementing terms locally, including customer clearance process when needed.Update regional price lists and systems and manage price reconciliations.Execute physical hedges, based on category instructions, with local suppliers.Measure and track supplier evaluation data, managing non-conformances and claim processes.Qualifications and Experience:Graduate qualification or proven experience in FMCG procurement.Negotiation and commercial analytical skills Supplier/Customer relationship management experience or excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to form strong working relationships.Strong influencing, communication skills, and personal impact to gain credibility quickly with senior stakeholders.Experience of taking tough decisions and prioritizing delivery in a complex and difficult environment.Objectively challenge established practice to stimulate thinking.Project management and leadership skills, including how to make a strong recommendation.The ability to think strategically and set a 3-year category plan.The ability to lead many workstreams and work in a team whilst managing key stakeholders.Demonstrate experience of developing, leading, and delivering change implementation within an organization.Excellent communication and influencing skills within the team and across the business.Raw Material category experience is desirable.Understanding of sustainability opportunities in commodities.MCIPS or equivalent certification is desirable.Our winning traits and behaviours:Purpose-Led - Energized by our promise to deliver happiness to the world with every bite.Agile - Ever evolving, never satisfied, and never standing still.Collaborative - Willing to work with others for mutual success.Resilient - Quick to adapt to change, fast learner, and persistent in the face of setbacks.Positive - Self-motivated, optimistic, adventurous, and inspiring.Diversity and inclusion are central to everything we do, and it is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe – and this diversity is our outstanding strength.We're an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone's distinctive qualities and perspectives.We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.Join us on our exciting journey to create happiness with every bite!pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law.#J-18808-Ljbffr