Category Manager (Packaging)

WHO WE ARE

Baldwin Richardson Foods, Co. is a global manufacturer of custom food and beverage ingredients and one of the largest African American family-owned and-operated businesses in the food industry. The Company has strong supply relationships with some of the world's largest Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Food Service customers. Iconic, global food brands entrust Baldwin Richardson Foods as their partner to deliver the highest quality products that exceed industry standards. The Company also manufactures and markets Mrs. Richardson's Ice Cream Toppings and Nance's Mustards and Condiments. BRF maintains its headquarters and a manufacturing facility in Macedon, New York; with a Culinary Innovation Center in Westmont, Illinois; and offices and manufacturing facilities in Williamson, New York; Pennsauken, New Jersey; and Corona, California. This role will be based in Macedon, NY (Hybrid).

WHAT WE NEED

This position will play a critical role in the company's ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective products to our customers through the individual's expertise in effectively sourcing packaging materials (rigid plastics, glass, paper, etc.) on a timely basis at the lowest total cost consistent with forecast requirements. This role has full-cycle ownership of procurement process for assigned contracts and/or vendors.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Provide global and domestic industry assessment for all assigned categories to ensure BRF is considering all elements that can impact our source of supply and competitive advantage.
• Use key reports and consultants to obtain market intelligence; long- and short-term market drivers.
• Develop clear delineation between controlled and uncontrolled spending in order to institute strategy to manage/mitigate cost/risk for uncontrolled spend (market driven cost inputs).
• Implement strategy and targets to drive cost out of controllable spend (negotiable inputs, processing, waste).
• Create competition within categories to drive bottom-line impact and risk mitigation by sourcing from multiple suppliers.
• Use a data driven approach to develop purchasing plans to include market driven "trigger" points.
• Participate in developing annual budgets for categories of responsibility. These budgets provide the baseline for the PPV throughout the year and help in determining company profitability.
• Develop Supplier engagement plan based on category strategy.
• Manage suppliers based on metrics collected via scorecard across BRF disciplines.
• Understand supplier's out-going quality assessment process.
• Execute and manage all approved contracts.
• Engage with Innovation/R&D to provide supplier/ingredient recommendations during development process to ensure source of supply and maximize the competitive advantage to Company.
• Prepare and ensures accuracy of all sections of the monthly commodity dashboard.
• Develop at least one new diversity spend opportunity in alignment with the corporate objectives for the diversity spend program.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university in business-related discipline (i.e., business, economics, finance, accounting, supply chain) preferred.
• Professional Certifications such ACIPS a plus
• A minimum of five (5) years of preferably manufacturing industry experience in a sourcing or procurement management role with:

Direct responsibility for supplier management and pricing/costs decisions.

Exposure to and understanding of a robust RFP process

Past experience being managed to cost-savings objectives

Manufacturing industry experience preferred, preferably high mix, high volume product lines.

Supplier management skills, have had responsibility for industry assessments, financial analysis, negotiating contracts and cost modeling.

• Must have raw material commodity (i.e., resins, corn, wheat, coffee, oil, copper, tin, aluminum) procurement experience, including tracking of futures, and reading market reports.
• Must possess strong supplier management skills, have had responsibility for industry assessments, financial analysis, negotiating contracts and cost modeling.
• High level of process improvement, inquisitiveness and willingness to drive business forward.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proven experience overcoming challenges in manufacturing as related to the procurement process.
• Ability to consistently perform risk mitigation in the commodity supply chain.
• Proven ability to implement process improvement initiatives within the procurement supply chain.
• Analytical and adept at MS Suite including Excel and Power Point. (MS Project, Visio is added advantage)
• Ability to think strategically and convert strategy into action.
• Workflow and process driven.
• Knowledge of OSHA, FDA and safety regulations
• Blend of strategic thinking and tactical actions applied to issues at hand.
• Ability to independently prioritize and juggle multiple matters at once.

Computer Skills: Systems proficiency with SAP desired. Experience with an ERP system required. Experience with Business Information query Tools desired.

You'll also receive a comprehensive benefits package including low premium and out of pocket cost medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with company match, generous sick and vacation time, 9 paid holidays, birthday and floating holidays, volunteer time and more!