Manager, Indirects – Capital, Design, & Construction

  • All Posting Locations: Chicago, IL, US
  • Job Functions: Procurement
  • Date Published: January 13, 2025
  • Ref#: R-89147

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About the Role

Job Description

As an Indirect Procurement Manager, you will lead and manage all strategic planning and sourcing activities for Capital Procurement, including, but not limited to Equipment, Engineering, Construction Services and Design Build with a total category spend of +$600MM, you will directly manage a portion of this spend amounting to +$200MM across the Kraft Heinz North American Zone (U.S. and Canada). You will leverage your experience and knowledge to build comprehensive strategies at the category level and execute the strategy through the sourcing process. You will champion program compliance through Supplier and Contract Management, creating value for Kraft Heinz. You will drive sustainable strategies that actively seek to reduce and/or control costs for materials and services while increasing efficiencies for the business. You will partner closely with various business units, operations, engineering, finance, and other corporate function stakeholders to provide innovative new products and services to meet business objectives. You may indirectly lead other Procurement professionals, be the key global liaison, and coordinate with our internal India-based procurement shared services team supporting these procurement categories. The successful candidate must be able to focus on balancing superior service to internal business clients, collaborating with a global view while maximizing value for the company of materials and services purchased.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

  • Manage mid-level clients and supplier relationships continuously to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Develop Sourcing and Category Management for assigned portfolios of critical categories to Kraft Heinz.
  • Establish and deliver performance goals for a portfolio of categories representing significant spending.  
  • Lead assigned strategic sourcing projects for supplier selection/optimization to execute Category Management vision and strategies.
  • Manage Supplier Relationships and conduct Supplier Business Reviews – Level Escalation Point for Performance and Risk Issues (experience with larger food equipment manufacturers and industry leaders is a plus!).
  • As part of Supplier Management, segments suppliers at category level.
  • Research and support in the development of the supplier base for specific categories
  • Lead discussions with suppliers around long-term objectives and strategies, ongoing market trends, innovation and technology advances, and potential investment decisions
  • Support major supplier issues and work with stakeholders to identify and drive resolution.
  • Identify business needs at the sourcing and category project level in the following areas: Assurance of Supply, Quality, Service, Cost, and Innovation (AQSCI).
  • Drive the development of a multi-year category vision and strategy based on data, insights, and business requirements. 
  • Build strong business relationships to increase influence over total category spend.
  • Identify and evaluate potential value-generating projects based on complexity, resources, risk, implementation time, and estimated financial impact.
  • Manage assigned portfolio of projects for the category in the near and long-term.
  • Lead the supplier selection and RFx award process.
  • Executes highly complex contracts in accordance with policies and processes; ability to apply competency across assigned categories.
  • Applies advanced levels of negotiation techniques and tools in all situations; ability to apply competency across assigned categories.
  • Actively maintain strong understanding of category dynamics (current market, pricing, cost drivers, industry and supplier variables) through trade groups, publications, etc. and communicates changes to business stakeholders.
  • Develop Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) at the category level through collaboration with Data Analytics, accountable for measuring and reporting value delivery.
  • Enable continuous process improvement and cost reduction.
  • Ensure the strategic sourcing process is robustly applied to all sourcing projects.
  • Collaborates with global procurement peers as needed to ensure support of and alignment to the supported functions.
  • Manage and develop an internal India-based procurement shared services team (Global Procurement Solutions – GPS).

Expected Experience & Required Skills

  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, finance, business, or related field. Candidates with extensive relevant experience and certifications (e.g., CPM, CPIM, etc.) may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • 5+ years of proven experience in Indirect Procurement or combination of design, construction, or food equipment industry experience.
  • Experience in developing long-term business strategies is highly desired, specifically establishing mid-to-long term direction based on insights into external market indices, global supply chain, and the organization's overall capabilities.
  • Prior experience developing strategies aligned to function with organizational goals and generates results that will have a positive impact on the function/business unit. Advanced experience in the sourcing life cycle process and possesses a strong grasp of the tools needed to complete the process.
  • Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills, as well as interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Ability to understand, organize, and communicate complex information in an easily understandable format tailored to a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, support requests from, and interact directly across all levels of the organization.
  • We “own” it at KHC and success requires an individual who is results-oriented, self-motivated, proactive, independent, and responsive.
  • Have strong analytical, planning, and execution skills, including exceptional attention to detail.
  • Possess a strategic mindset; can effectively articulate various perspectives and impacts of issues and understand the future impact to the business. Able to see all sides and the inherent value to stakeholders.
  • Able to effectively negotiate and influence business decisions and change.
  • Able to multitask and juggle projects at varying levels of complexity.
  • Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and have an understanding for source-to-pay tools (SAP, Ariba, etc.).

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces. To create a more agile and modern workplace, we allow Chicago/Aon Center based employees to work virtually for up to two days each week and expect them to work in-person during the defined core days at their assigned work location at least three days per workweek.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$102,100.00 – $127,600.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

  • Physical – Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

  • Social – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

  • Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

  • Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.

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Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

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Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

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Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

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Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

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Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

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Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

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About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

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