Category Manager – Ingredients and Co-Manufacturing

Our Story 

At Lactalis, we are true to our purpose: we are a family business offering healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together. And, we just happen to be the worldwide leader in what we do.  We are passionate, ambitious with a desire to learn and grow. 

Our Purpose 

At the heart of our Australian business we have over 2,500 passionate employees, working closely with our farmers, customers and consumers to produce the finest dairy products in the country. Pillar brands such as Paul’s, OAK, Ice Break, Vaalia, Tamar Valley Dairy, Jalna, and President provide Lactalis Australia with a deep national footprint for growth and prosperity.  Our brands bring pride to our employees, and we continue to innovate with new products. 

Our opportunity 

The Category Manager – Ingredients and Co-Manufacturing role offers a significant opportunity to lead strategic procurement initiatives and promote innovation within the company. This key position involves managing the commercial, strategic, and operational facets of ingredients and co-manufacturing categories. By conducting spend analysis, implementing sourcing strategies, and negotiating with suppliers, the Category Manager is tasked with identifying and spearheading cost-saving projects, improving vendor performance, and ensuring risk management. The role also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, advocating for the incorporation of eco-friendly practices and continuous improvement. Additionally, the Category Manager acts as a vital liaison between internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration and identifying opportunities for business enhancement. This position not only aligns with Lactalis' vision and mission but also contributes to the development of a proactive safety culture and adherence to environmental responsibilities, thereby advancing the company's growth and efficiency. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Analyse spend, conduct stakeholder meetings to determine the procurement strategy, execute sourcing strategies, select suppliers and negotiate contractual terms and conditions for materials for the responsible categories. 

• Lead vendor performance through analysis, development, planning and implementation of the strategy and its execution within the appointed categories. 

• Liaise extensively within and outside the business to effectively manage relationships, identify business improvement opportunities and cost saving opportunities. 

• Ensure risk is mitigated and an optimum cost effective approach is achieved. 

• Capitalise on opportunities for savings based on consolidation of spend and supplies, increased efficiencies, value engineering, and economies of scale both for Lactalis and for Suppliers. 

• Serve as the escalation point for Supplier management issues including performance, quality, and commercial issues. 

• Partner with specified Business Partners and Stakeholders to establish and track savings in all areas and to identify short and long term supplier and sourcing strategies. 

• Identify cost saving initiatives on managed categories to build a solid pipeline of projects. 

• Manage cost savings projects with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Proactively seek sustainability ideas from suppliers within managed categories . 

• Conduct business process improvement projects as required by the business and within defined categories. 

• Carry out projects as required by the business and within defined categories. 

• Works with suppliers to bring new practices to Lactalis.  

• Ensure adherence to the global co-manufacturing policies and framework.  

• Is aware of, and actively supports, through day-to-day behaviour, the Company Vision, Mission and Code of Conduct. 

• Identifies, develops/recommends potential workplace innovations which may further improve our business. 

• Supports innovations and adapts to changes by focusing on a culture of continuous improvement in all areas of the business. 

ABOUT YOU: 

A successful candidate for this role is someone who can demonstrate a balance of positive, value-adding behaviour and outstanding results. To succeed in this role, you should have: 

• Extensive technical knowledge in FMCG and food manufacturing.

• MCIPS certification or equivalent (preferred).

• A robust strategic and operational skill set particularly in procurement strategy and cost management, relationship and vendor management, risk mitigation, and sustainability 

• Strong communication and negotiation abilities are essential, along with problem-solving and adaptability. 

• Dependable leadership and team collaboration are crucial for managing projects and working with stakeholders. 

• An entrepreneurial mindset is also important for driving initiatives and overcoming obstacles.