Global Category Manager

Global Category Manager, Flexible/Semi-Rigid Packaging

The Global Category Manager, Flexible/Semi-Rigid Packaging is responsible for developing and executing global category strategy for flexible and semi-rigid packaging material sub-categories such as films, foils, pre-formed/thermoformed components to create value and manage risk.

This role reports to the Global Category Director for Packaging and interfaces with global and regional sites as the category expert, advisor and business partner. The Global Category Manager partners closely with the Packaging Sustainability Program & Category Manager and cross-functional teams in our manufacturing and corporate sites to include strategic sustainability business objectives and initiatives into the global category strategy, and supports the execution of assigned projects, including sustainability improvement projects to advance Dentsply Sirona’s corporate social responsibility. The category management scope spans across multiple divisions and global locations to meet the needs of the company, drive compliance to our preferred supply base (local, regional, global suppliers), manage a multi-year category strategy plan, and be the point of contact to manage day-to-day business needs for assigned global sites.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes sub-category strategies with a three to five year roadmap with targeted sustainability projects to be executed at a global and regional level
• Develops and maintains relationships with key suppliers as part of strategic supplier management (SRM), continuously improves supplier’s performance. Develops diverse suppliers, drives to deliver innovation, secure capacities & improve capabilities (quality, service, delivery, responsiveness). Assists in supplier audits and quality agreement negotiations with critical suppliers to meet compliance, change control and implementation of change requirements.
• Identifies and drives procurement value projects, delivers cost improvements, operational efficiencies, and inventory optimizations in collaboration with suppliers and sites. Executes project plans, documents planned and actual delivered savings, and maintains project/savings tracking tool.
• Assembles savings opportunities, develops ideations/business cases, contributes to annual category strategy renewal, budget planning and multi-year value creation;
• Manages RFPs and contract negotiations per sub-category and priority, including new product development projects, spend leveraging and partnering with other global category managers to find synergies across company spend, eg. in specialty plastics;
• Executes value projects and mitigates revenue risk, e.g. supplier and material consolidation efforts, switch to new or keep “like for like” materials from strategic supply sources with focus on total cost of ownership, sustainable, cost efficient solutions and minimum packaging requirements for food/medical grade packaging;
• Leads BCP reviews as part of the company’s business continuity plan (BCP) assessments of their party suppliers to proactively address financial and operational risk prior to establishing relationships with new suppliers. BCPs aim to evaluate risk scenarios and find alternate, sustainable solutions.
• Prepares business cases and execution plans to drive cost savings and productivity programs, generates project charters and project plans to implement strategies and works closely with site engineering and procurement teams to implement packaging solutions;
• Manages financial savings and risk mitigation activities reporting within Dentsply Sirona’s reporting systems, liaises with finance, legal, marketing to validate savings, inflation and risk, utilizes GEP and Power BI to manage procurement data, executes analytical assessments.
• Creates value, scouts for new solutions for alternate and/or dual sourced materials, mitigate risk from BCP, “off-the-shelf solutions, total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Supports the Packaging Sustainability Program & Category Manager during the assessment of annual execution targets to meet the company’s top and bottom-line savings and sustainability goals.
• Executes customer centric packaging design projects with suppliers in alignment with product groups, assesses the value of packaging changes via market insights and assesses opportunity for new innovative platform solutions;
• Ensures timely and compliant implementation of new contracts and manages supplier agreements through contract life. Updates existing agreements, resolves gaps.
• Analyze proactively market conditions (supply market trends, macroeconomic indicators, regulatory changes, etc.), provides risk management insights for supply base to identify and address potential risks and opportunities. Communicates market & category trends to management and stakeholders. Utilize market intelligence tools.
• Manage daily business engagement and communication with key stakeholders across assigned sites (8-10 sites). Closely aligns with site buyers.
• Builds relationships, partners with internal business partners (e.g. Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing) to understand requirements, challenges, opportunities.

Profile requested

• Packaging or chemical engineering degree, MBA desired
• Some years experience working in Procurement or Supply Chain with strategic sourcing and category management experience in packaging material sourcing
• Experience developing category strategies, negotiating contractual agreements
• Highly skilled in developing category strategies, performing contract negotiations, lean manufacturing, business case development, Best Cost Country (BCC) sourcing, dual sourcing
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong analytical, data collection/analysis skills. Excel, presentation and PowerPoint skills
• Experience managing multiple projects/issues across 8-10 sites. Good organization, project management, follow-up/time management skills.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships
• Proven track record in delivering value savings and business results
• Requires experience working with data and sourcing/project systems/software, e.g. Power BI, GEP, Beroe.
• Able to analyze and communicate commodity market trends of the sub-categories (plastic,
• Certifications & Licensing: CPSM, PMP, CPP, CPM, CPP, SPSM (desired)
• Medical/pharma/consumer packaging/regulated industry preferred incl. understanding of FDA, cGMP 21 CFR 820, Quality System Regulations, and ISO 9000/14000 preferred, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SmartSolve.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English. German, Italian a plus.
• High level of attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present projects to management.
• Experience in a low volume and high mix environment

As part of our team, you'll experience the spirit of an international and innovative market leader in the dental industry. Besides an attractive remuneration package, you will also be eligable for a variety of employee benefits