Strategic Category Manager - Contract Manufacturing
Buffalo, NY, US, 14213
Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.
Purpose Statement
Strategic procurement professional responsible for enterprise-wide contract manufacturing space who partners with internal/external business stakeholders to drive procurement value, including development and execution of strategies that focus on optimizing transparent cost structures, joint value creation, improving vendor performance, mitigating risk and extracting innovation from supply base. This position will work closely with our sales and marketing groups as well as managing categories with international supply chain implications, collaborating with regional teams.
Key Accountabilities and Outcomes
· In combination with business stakeholders, development and execution of category sourcing strategy for contract manufacturing supplier landscape leveraging industry knowledge, while achieving business requirements.
· Builds a short term and long-term category vision that is aligned with business stakeholders, and supported by strategic category management and sourcing objectives.
· Directs and leads category specific analyses and reporting, supply market research and spend analytics.
· Directly manages the development of the sourcing strategies, RFI/RFP materials, negotiations, savings model, supplier selection recommendation and contracting.
· Lead the implementation of strategic supplier development plans including maximizing procurement leverage and maximizing supplier performance/joint-process improvements.
· Negotiation and implementation of supplier agreements/contracts by working with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to reach agreement on contract terms and conditions.
· Deliver price transparency within costing models to establish leverage of category management levers, establishing competitive total cost of ownership (TCO).
· Lead negotiations driven by category strategy to achieve optimal value for business.
· Drive metrics, data reporting and dashboards to support the achievement of value optimization goals.
· Apply Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategy and segmentation (transactional, strategic, niche, etc.) to category with goal of streamlining supplier base through strategic partnerships.
· Benchmark payment terms against industry and look to enhance current payment terms especially with core suppliers.
· Responsible for ensuring that maximum amount of spend is under active procurement management.
· Create category dashboarding to measure and manage category KPI’s & metrics.
· Ability to track value creation delivered through category strategy execution.
· Provide strategic category expertise and support to procurement teams located in regions outside the U.S. for assigned category.
· Leverage spend in regions outside the US to drive additional value with strategic suppliers, while delivering additional value to regional businesses.
· Lead internal contract manufacturing team to support achievement of category objectives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in business, supply chain management or related field.
· Master’s degree preferred.
· 5 – 7 years strategic procurement experience, with preference for category management and large project negotiations.
· Demonstrated track record and experience in managing contracting manufacturing procurement at other CPG organizations.
· Experience providing project leadership and effectively managing projects.
· Excellent analytical skills, especially around Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) within Contract Manufacturing/Tolling space.
· Strong operations background preferred.
· High level of contract knowledge.
· Experience partnering with and influencing internal stakeholders (HR, marketing, sales, IT, legal, etc.) including ability to sell an idea and build consensus.
· Strong communication skills including written, verbal and formal presentations.
· Technically proficient with PowerPoint, Excel, Word, statistical software, etc required. Ability to efficiently create spreadsheets, pivot tables, other computer analysis, report writing.
· Ability to multi-task and prioritize in complex, sometimes ambiguous and always fast-paced environment.
· Well-developed interpersonal skills.
· Experience developing and leading a high performing category management team.
· Self-reliant and possess the ability to work independently and measure progress against goals.
· 15% to 25% travel including potential international travel.
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COMPENSATION
In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.
Annual Range/Hourly Rate
$116,655.00 - $174,983.00

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity, standing up for fairness and maintaining a culture of belonging, to provide an exceptional experience for all. We will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Associate Experience Network at hrhelp@rich.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Nearest Major Market: Buffalo
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