This role manages buying operations activities as well as local sourcing activities in a region in order to create a lean end-to-end support for a specific group of goods and services in the indirect sourcing area for several sites and/or countries across multiple Mars segments (such as MWC, Petcare, and Food).

He/she works closely with the sourcing managers and is responsible for the efficient and effective execution of sourcing strategy activities in that region. This role is responsible for identifying and delivering value chain optimization opportunities and ensures that the team acts as the first line of escalation on issues between suppliers and the business, operating the supplier relationship management process with suppliers.

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree / Master’s degree preferred
• 5 years of professional experience, ideally with supplier/customer management experience & financial acumen within Logistics/Transportation

What you’ll be doing:

1. Purchase indirect goods & services by securing price, capacity & service levels in line with commitments to the business and as per the sourcing strategies by applying a wide range of sourcing tools (e.g. negotiation, e-procurement, strategic collaboration, tenders/RFP’s, etc.)

2. Implement supply base strategy.  Assess and develop suppliers in order to meet business needs and opportunities

3. Ensure effective risk management of the supply base, through robust contracts and monitoring of financial and other KPIs. Implement corrective actions as appropriate.  Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical aspects of projects

4. Establish & maintain relationships with finance directors, department directors (plant manager, marketing director, sales director, supply chain director, ...), and their teams to ensure understanding of their needs and to facilitate the appropriate level of challenge

5. Ensure compliance with policies, systems & controls

6. Provide market and financial insights and inputs to the internal sourcing planning process

7. Recommend and implement best practice for areas of responsibility.

8. Participate in team knowledge transfer

9. Provide input to and execute the Global & Regional MSSM at a local level and other major work streams

10. Participate in external forums and associations

11. Lead and contribute to global/regional projects as required

12, Participate & lead, when required, engagement programs.

13. Actively participate in cross segment team meetings, as well any global and/or specific subcategory team meetings

14. Regularly maintain & update relevant KPIs (related to in scope investments:  e.g. savings, payment terms etc)

15. Responsible for providing support, training and guidance to junior and/or new team members.   As well as coaching and motivating local operations buyers in the achievement of their objectives.  Provide support as needed to individual buyers in complex negotiations and critical issues (e.g.: disputes that threaten continuity of supply, termination of major suppliers, suppliers causing late delivery of projects).

16. Acts as the liaison between the sites and, or Business units and the sourcing managers to communicate changing business needs (e.g. specification, volume changes, etc.) and its impact to MSSM’s.

17. Works with other functions to support new product launches, line extensions, and execution of continuous improvement programs for indirect goods and services in scope for the role."

18. Execute supplier performance reviews on a regular basis.

19. Develop & implement a continuous improvement action plan. Monitor changes and adjust the plan as needed to sustain performance results

20. Identifies and manages supplier collaboration initiatives (e.g. supplier owned inventory, forecast management, electronic invoicing, operational process streamlining, etc.)

21. Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical situations.  Supports Commercial initiatives

22. Identifies opportunities, roadblocks with respect to regional strategies and determines next best local approach as needed

23. Collaborate with other buying operation managers and drive continuous improvement to become more effective and efficient

24. Influences internal stakeholders to align with global & regional buying strategy

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

About Mars:
Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5â„¢, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL® and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitalsâ„¢, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCAâ„¢ and Pet Partnersâ„¢. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 130,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Disclaimer:
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.​​​​​​​

Note to Search Firms/Agencies:
Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific.  Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.