Do you want to be the Lead Category Buyer for GFS? Now's your chance to apply! (13813 hits)
Manages and leads the vendor negotiation and cost discovery process for assigned North American category in a timely and efficient manner, while collaborating with Director of Category Management, Category Managers, North American Director of Strategic Procurement and Strategic Procurement Manager. Negotiates fully landed product cost solutions that appropriately contribute to the financial goals of the Merchandising Services Team and achieve divisional objectives. Manages, documents and confirms accurate negotiation cost attributes that are implemented in purchase agreement documents and cost system applications. Maintains an appropriate knowledge of product categories, vendors and markets, communicating that information with team members as appropriate. Responsible for leading and coaching the category with negotiation skills development.
Leadership Competencies: Living the Culture: Exhibits Integrity and High Character Serves Others Hungry for Results Promotes a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace Leading People: Builds Strong Relationships Creates and Delivers a Winning Vision Communicates Effectively with all Groups of People Develops Individuals Producing Results Builds High Performance Teams Manages Individual Performance Plans, Organizes and Executes Work Leads Team to Produce Results Thinking and Decision Making Thinks Strategically Analyzes and Solves Problems Understands the Business
Essential Functions: Leadership Leads and manages all procurement process activities for assigned North American product category in support of category commitments and initiatives, including mentoring all category members on negotiation skill development and techniques. Leads project initiatives, beyond product, to ensure efficient gprocure-to-pay'' cycle.
Vision & Planning Assists the North American Category Director with the development and implementation of the Annual Operating Plan, Competitive Market Review (negotiation) calendar and corresponding realized savings financial commitments, including regular status updates. Supports the planning and execution of strategies resulting in optimal value for Gordon Food Service by balancing fully landed cost of goods (bottom line), without compromising commitments to growth (top line). Communication & Relationship Building Responsible for engaging shareholders (i.e., divisions, category managers, etc.) to understand business needs, and responsible for developing negotiation strategies to achieve objectives. Responsible for leading discussions with business owners, leaders, and key decision makers within the supply base to achieve unique, collaborative, yet globally competitive sourcing solutions that differentiate GFS from itfs competitors. Communicates category negotiation updates to the North American Category Leader councils. Collaborates with Category and Brand Managers to provide strategic support of GFS brand(s) sales initiatives. Category & Vendor Management Understands and leverages both broadline foodservice distribution and retail market needs to develop and execute best in class sourcing solutions. Responsible for all phases of Competitive Market Reviews for defined product categories, including development of negotiation strategies, tactics, and execution plans to achieve desired outcomes, as well as the accurate transfer of negotiation points into a signed agreement and archived into the agreement system. Leads specific procurement initiatives within the category to achieve strategic business needs as assigned, including booking initiatives, regional sourcing strategies and Vendor Involvement Program (VIP) involvement. Ensures that agreement process results in accurate contract implementation as well as non-price considerations throughout the business cycle. Responsible for analyzing various inputs (ranging from cost, quality, support, service) and execute best value sourcing solutions. Maintains effective vendor relationships for continuous cost improvement or value creation initiatives. Critically monitors and analyzes assigned product categories and related product markets for cost-savings opportunities. Achieves category negotiated savings goal while ensuring mutual ownership of category goals. Sources supplies and items that meet defined specifications, performance, or functionality. Counsels and directs vendors toward continuous improvement in performance utilizing the vendor policy manual. Continually seeks to identify and reduce or eliminate process and system costs. Lends cost support to bid and chain account activity. Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related conferences, seminars, etc. Maintains peer relationships in the field to share issues and ideas. Performs other duties as assigned.