In order to support it growth, The Greenyard Frozen Division is looking for a Procurement Category Manager.

Fruits, Vegetables and Ingredients

Position

The Procurement Category Manager for Greenyard Frozen Division is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement, and supplier relationship management processes within the frozen food categories. The role supports the Procurement Director in achieving cost efficiency, ensuring quality and food safety, driving sustainability journey with our suppliers, and enhancing supply chain resilience across the frozen fruits, vegetables and ingredients categories. The ideal candidate will have a strategic and value-driven approach, a strong focus on supplier quality, compliance and sustainability, and the ability to adapt to the unique demands of the frozen food market.

The Procurement Category Manager will be part of the Greenyard Frozen divisional team and report directly to the Division Procurement Director.

Key responsibilities

Category Strategy Development

• Participate and implement category-specific sourcing strategies aligned with Greenyard Fozen Division objectives in cost management, quality assurance, sustainability and supply chain reliability.
• Conduct market analysis to understand pricing trends, supplier landscapes, and seasonal variability, ensuring category strategy aligns with market conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Sales, to align procurement strategies with business needs.

 Supplier Selection and Relationship Management

• Identify, assess, and qualify suppliers for frozen fruits, vegetables and ingredients, ensuring alignment with quality, food safety, and sustainability standards in collaboration with QA team.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, pricing agreements, and ensuring long-term partnership value.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews, focusing on quality, reliability, and compliance, and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Contract and Risk Management

• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts, ensuring favorable terms, service level agreements, and compliance with Greenyard’s food safety and quality standards.
• Work with suppliers to develop risk mitigation strategies, particularly for seasonal, climate, or market-related disruptions in the frozen fruits and vegetables supply chain.
• Develop contingency plans and maintain flexibility in supply arrangements to adapt to demand fluctuations and unforeseen challenges.

Cost Management and Value Optimization

• Drive cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, volume leveraging, and supplier development.
• Regularly benchmark costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality or service levels.
• Collaborate with finance to track budget adherence and support accurate forecasting and demand planning for the category.

Quality and Food Safety Compliance

• Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure suppliers meet all food safety, quality certifications (e.g., HACCP, BRC), and undergo regular audits.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures, working closely with suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve standards where needed.
• Track and report on supplier performance metrics to ensure continuous improvement.

Data-Driven Decision Making and Reporting

• Utilize data analytics tools to track supplier performance, analyze spend data, and forecast demand.
• Provide regular reports and insights on category performance, supplier trends, and potential risks to the Procurement Director.
• Use data to identify improvement areas in procurement processes and supply chain efficiency.

Sustainability and Social Compliance

• Ensure that suppliers practices align with Greenyard ‘s sustainability and social compliance objectives.
• Engage with suppliers to improve sustainable practices and promote transparency across the supply chain.

Profile

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the sourcing of raw materials in food industry or retail. Experience with crop-related products is a strong plus.
• A Master’s degree. Procurement certification (e.g., MAI, CIPS, CPSM) is a plus.
• Proficiency in category management, supplier management, data analytics tools and ERP systems (SAP).
• Value-creation oriented, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions and develop cost-effective solutions.
• Understanding of food safety standards and risk mitigation plan.
• Comfortable within a matrix management structure in a multinational environment and capable of managing virtual teams.
• Strong presentation and communication skills for effective supplier management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Resilience and Flexibility - Comfortable with the dynamic and seasonal nature of the raw material supply chain and capable of managing change effectively.
• Adaptability - Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with a proactive approach to resolving issues and driving improvements.
• Frequent travels are required.
• Fluent in English – French is a plus.

Offer

• The unique opportunity to develop your career internationally within a dynamic working organization.
• You will have a job with many challenges and responsibilities in a growing and financially healthy company.
• You have a wide range of internal and external contacts, making you an integral part of the organization and its growth.
• This is a hybrid position, combining remote work and up to 40% travel (which also includes on-site presence at the office in Roeselare).
• You will receive a competitive compensation package based on your experience.

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