Ferrara Candy Company, Inc.
Sr. Manager, Indirect Procurement
Ferrara Candy Company, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s, NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, and Trolli to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.
Sr. Manager, Indirect Procurement
Job Location: Chicago
This role is based out of our corporate HQ located in downtown Chicago and will be a hybrid in-person/remote role.
Want to make an impact?
Reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Indirect Procurement, this role will be charged with developing and implementing procurement strategies that support our manufacturing and warehousing facilities. Primary responsibilities include leading all procurement category management activities related to plants and warehouses including building facilities requirements related to their maintenance, sanitation, safety, sustainability and security.
Executes commercial go-to-market strategies for indirect spend categories. Independently researches industry and supplier insights to drive innovation and solutions to create incremental value and deliver best in class sourcing results. Develops short-term and long-term sourcing goals to realize value fast and ongoing, aligning with corporate vision and financial targets. Manage supplier relationships effectively and appropriately to create culture of proactive continuous improvement versus complacency.
Responsible for sourcing the best deal possible taking into account risk, business continuity, total cost of overwhip, performance and overall strategic vision of supplier relationship within the organization. Leads with bias towards action and prioritizing time to provide greatest value to the organization when competing programs and targets arise.
The role is based in Chicago, Illinois and will require minimal travel outside the greater Chicago area (
Ways you will make a difference
Category Leadership
Responsible for all aspects of category management including developing the category strategies and executing sourcing events.
Conducts category spend analysis and supplier segmentation.
Conducts the RFI and RFP processes from requirements gathering to contracting and savings tracking.
Leads the process of supply market research, supplier search and due diligence, negotiations, supplier selection and contract strategy. Works with legal to finalize contracts.
Manages multiple sourcing projects and procurement requirements concurrently across the organization.
Develops a deep level of understanding of the global supply base. Develops and leads the strategy and execution to drive cost, innovation, risk management and other value-added elements of supplier relationships including supplier diversity and sustainability.
Driving Value to the Organization
Achieves year-over-year benefit targets for the category developed with supervisor.
Benefits can include savings, cost avoidance, payment term extension and continuous improvement efforts among others.
Supplier Relationship Management
Manages and develops strategic supplier alliances with a select group of suppliers to assure a preferred status in the presentation of new opportunities, while creating an advantaged cost position for Ferrara.
Supports supplier relationship management activities as needed.
Monitors supplier performance and holds regular business performance reviews. Leads improvement actions as appropriate.
Monitors supplier financial health and recommends appropriate actions to mitigate risk to Ferrara.
Senior Leadership Support
Supports senior leadership team members. Maintains a high level of professionalism while supporting the organization. Demonstrates an understanding of business needs and requirements.
Works in partnership with key stakeholders to ensure their requirements are met by contracted suppliers, contingency plans exist, and additional sourcing opportunities are presented.
Operational and Indirect Team Support
Supports other category management activities as needed within the indirect procurement team including PO management activities.
Supports other indirect categories based on team needs.
Supports the on-going initiatives to automate our req-to-pay processes.
Works closely with the COE (Center of Excellence) team to ensure bottom line impact from commercial activities is property captured, tracked and reported on.
Skills that will make you successful
Knowledge of maintenance requirements within a manufacturing environment: have a base of knowledge related to maintenance products and services; have a desire to continually learn about evolving maintenance-related opportunities.
Procurement knowledge: Deep understanding of procurement category management, stakeholder management and negotiations
Strong interpersonal skills: empathy, integrity, enthusiasm, collaborative, driving consensus
Strong written and oral communication skills. Strong listening skills and ability to work with senior leaders – inside and outside of the organization - to understand their goals and objectives; share project objectives and progress in a clear concise manner.
Strong analytical and presentation skills: have a strong ability to analyze significant amount of data and summarize findings or options for senior leadership.
Strategic thinking: able to “see around corners”, synthesize insights from disparate data sources, and present recommendations and alternatives.
Desire to be a supportive and proactive business partner across the organization.
Experiences that will support your success
Bachelor’s degree.
At least 7 years of experience in the procurement of manufacturing-related maintenance products and services.
Solid understanding of the 7 steps of procurement and effective business partnering.
Extensive experience in supplier negotiations, developing and executing category strategies.
Experience collaborating with cross functional teams and presenting to senior leadership.
Demonstrated track record of exceeding savings targets and financial goals.
Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Excel.
Intermediate skill level in Microsoft PowerPoint for executive presentation.
Experience within an SAP-based ERP environment. Procurement within an international multi-site manufacturing and brand-based corporate environment
#LI-AG1
Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Sr. Manager, Indirect Procurement
Job Location: Chicago
This role is based out of our corporate HQ located in downtown Chicago and will be a hybrid in-person/remote role.
Want to make an impact?
Reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Indirect Procurement, this role will be charged with developing and implementing procurement strategies that support our manufacturing and warehousing facilities. Primary responsibilities include leading all procurement category management activities related to plants and warehouses including building facilities requirements related to their maintenance, sanitation, safety, sustainability and security.
Executes commercial go-to-market strategies for indirect spend categories. Independently researches industry and supplier insights to drive innovation and solutions to create incremental value and deliver best in class sourcing results. Develops short-term and long-term sourcing goals to realize value fast and ongoing, aligning with corporate vision and financial targets. Manage supplier relationships effectively and appropriately to create culture of proactive continuous improvement versus complacency.
Responsible for sourcing the best deal possible taking into account risk, business continuity, total cost of overwhip, performance and overall strategic vision of supplier relationship within the organization. Leads with bias towards action and prioritizing time to provide greatest value to the organization when competing programs and targets arise.
The role is based in Chicago, Illinois and will require minimal travel outside the greater Chicago area (
Ways you will make a difference
Category Leadership
Responsible for all aspects of category management including developing the category strategies and executing sourcing events.
Conducts category spend analysis and supplier segmentation.
Conducts the RFI and RFP processes from requirements gathering to contracting and savings tracking.
Leads the process of supply market research, supplier search and due diligence, negotiations, supplier selection and contract strategy. Works with legal to finalize contracts.
Manages multiple sourcing projects and procurement requirements concurrently across the organization.
Develops a deep level of understanding of the global supply base. Develops and leads the strategy and execution to drive cost, innovation, risk management and other value-added elements of supplier relationships including supplier diversity and sustainability.
Driving Value to the Organization
Achieves year-over-year benefit targets for the category developed with supervisor.
Benefits can include savings, cost avoidance, payment term extension and continuous improvement efforts among others.
Supplier Relationship Management
Manages and develops strategic supplier alliances with a select group of suppliers to assure a preferred status in the presentation of new opportunities, while creating an advantaged cost position for Ferrara.
Supports supplier relationship management activities as needed.
Monitors supplier performance and holds regular business performance reviews. Leads improvement actions as appropriate.
Monitors supplier financial health and recommends appropriate actions to mitigate risk to Ferrara.
Senior Leadership Support
Supports senior leadership team members. Maintains a high level of professionalism while supporting the organization. Demonstrates an understanding of business needs and requirements.
Works in partnership with key stakeholders to ensure their requirements are met by contracted suppliers, contingency plans exist, and additional sourcing opportunities are presented.
Operational and Indirect Team Support
Supports other category management activities as needed within the indirect procurement team including PO management activities.
Supports other indirect categories based on team needs.
Supports the on-going initiatives to automate our req-to-pay processes.
Works closely with the COE (Center of Excellence) team to ensure bottom line impact from commercial activities is property captured, tracked and reported on.
Skills that will make you successful
Knowledge of maintenance requirements within a manufacturing environment: have a base of knowledge related to maintenance products and services; have a desire to continually learn about evolving maintenance-related opportunities.
Procurement knowledge: Deep understanding of procurement category management, stakeholder management and negotiations
Strong interpersonal skills: empathy, integrity, enthusiasm, collaborative, driving consensus
Strong written and oral communication skills. Strong listening skills and ability to work with senior leaders – inside and outside of the organization - to understand their goals and objectives; share project objectives and progress in a clear concise manner.
Strong analytical and presentation skills: have a strong ability to analyze significant amount of data and summarize findings or options for senior leadership.
Strategic thinking: able to “see around corners”, synthesize insights from disparate data sources, and present recommendations and alternatives.
Desire to be a supportive and proactive business partner across the organization.
Experiences that will support your success
Bachelor’s degree.
At least 7 years of experience in the procurement of manufacturing-related maintenance products and services.
Solid understanding of the 7 steps of procurement and effective business partnering.
Extensive experience in supplier negotiations, developing and executing category strategies.
Experience collaborating with cross functional teams and presenting to senior leadership.
Demonstrated track record of exceeding savings targets and financial goals.
Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Excel.
Intermediate skill level in Microsoft PowerPoint for executive presentation.
Experience within an SAP-based ERP environment. Procurement within an international multi-site manufacturing and brand-based corporate environment
#LI-AG1
Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
#J-18808-Ljbffr