Category Manager

About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

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Job Purpose
As the Category Sourcing Manager, Packaging for South-East and South-Asia, the role encompasses the following responsibilities:

• Leadership & Strategic Direction: Provide strategic direction and leadership to category sourcing in SESA
• Strategy Deployment: Define and deploy strategy for managing regional spend of the category, driving year-on-year value and benefits
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with key internal stakeholders including cross-business units, R&D, and other category leads
• Supplier Management: Own and drive strategic supplier management with all the regional vendors and own select/agreed global vendors
• Alignment with Corporate Goals: Steer category strategy and execution aligned with AkzoNobel's corporate goals on sustainability.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and deploy regional sourcing strategy for the category
• Lead and manage strategic supplier management regionally and globally
• Influence internal stakeholders and business teams strategically on a global and regional scale
• Exhibit leadership behaviors to both the category team and suppliers
• Lead and deliver regional and global projects specific to the category
• Implement strategic cost management through e-tenders, negotiation, and contract management
• Ensure year-on-year value creation is in line with company and functional goals
• Collaborate with the Category Technical Lead to develop a technical roadmap, including critical projects and initiatives
• Build and sustain a vendor base encompassing current and prospective vendors
• Contribute proactively to AkzoNobel's Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi)
• Develop alternate raw materials with the Business Unit Technical Lead, mitigating single/sole source material at elevated risk
• Drive end-to-end simplification of product portfolio and supplier reduction
• Demonstrate important levels of global collaboration and cooperation

Requirements

• Graduate in Science/Business/Economics; Master's degree in business administration or supply chain will be advantageous
• At least 15 years of total working experience, with a minimum of 5 years' experience in a strategic sourcing role with similar complexity, spend size, and geography
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Proven experience in global or regional sourcing roles, change management, and leading strategic projects
• Ability to work under minimal supervision in a broad direction

Behavioral skills / Key Competencies:

• Strategic sourcing, category management, advanced negotiation skills, contract management
• Proficiency in multiple data platforms such as SAP and BI
• Ability to synthesize complex information and formulate strategic or tactical approaches
• Strong stakeholder management & influencing skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Action-oriented and performance-driven
• Creativity, innovation, and an eye for opportunities
• Flexible, agile, and stress resistant

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 49538