Sourcing Manager - Production & Building

Job Description

The Sourcing Manager - Production & Building will be responsible for executing sourcing activities, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and implementing cost-saving initiatives for indirect spend categories across Ghirardelli, Lindt & Sprungli (USA), and Lindt & Sprungli North America. The Sourcing Manager will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive operational procurement excellence in Production & Building including Production Machines & Equipment and Production Materials & Services.

The position maintains alignment with the global procurement strategy and the directives of the Head Group Indirect Procurement in Lindt International.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy Development and Execution

• Develops category strategies for Indirect materials and services in close collaboration and alignment with the Sourcing Director Indirects, focusing on cost, quality, and supplier alignment with organizational goals.
• Supports the development and implementation of sourcing strategies across relevant Indirect categories within Production & Building using the 7-step sourcing process.
• Conducts market analyses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across main spend categories in scope.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers, negotiating favorable terms for quality, cost, and supply assurance.

• Lead sourcing projects, driving cross-functional teams across multiple brands towards a common objective
• Develop long-term strategic relationships with top tier suppliers in order to guarantee high quality service level and sustain the growth of the company
• Establish best-in-class Capex & MRO Procurement processes, to define the collaboration model between Procurement and Operations, centrally and locally, for the categories in scope
• Establish strong relationship with key stakeholders in the Engineering community, promoting and demonstrating the value of Procurement in their area
• Provide expert sourcing support and guidance to stakeholders where required

Contract Negotiation & Execution

• Leads contract negotiations with largest suppliers, in collaboration with direct reports, to secure favorable terms, conditions, and pricing, balancing quality, service, risk management, and cost objectives.
• Ensure robust contracts are developed, that support long-term supplier relationships and protect the company's interests.
• Ensure that all contract terms align with legal and compliance requirements, as well as the organization's procurement strategies.
• Ensure suppliers comply with the agreed contractual terms, in collaboration with the relevant functions.
• Ensure agreements with Group suppliers are correctly implemented across the relevant subsidiaries in North America, collaborating closely with Group Indirect Procurement where appropriate

Manage and Prioritize Procurement Project Pipeline

• Work with business partners across functions to understand and support their procurement requirements, building a yearly pipeline of projects with associated benefit targets in alignment with the functions
• Maintain sourcing project tracker updated with latest project information and status.

Cost-Savings Program and Execution

• Execute cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, and process efficiencies.
• Inform and establish cost savings targets with market intelligence, stakeholder insights, and understanding of addressable spend.
• Track and report sourcing savings, ensuring alignment with annual cost-saving targets.
• Participate and key contributor to any cost savings ideation workshop with the relevant functions

• Partner with suppliers to identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring continuous improvement in quality, service, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Group Indirect Procurement team to support the execution of global initiatives.

Procurement Process & Execution Compliance

• Ensure procurement processes follow company policies, procurement best practices, and governance standards.
• Support the rollout of procurement systems and tools, assisting in system adoption across teams.
• Maintain procurement documentation and records, ensuring full traceability for audits and internal reviews.
• Ensure compliance with Supplier Code of Conduct and Corporate Social Responsibility requirements.

Supplier Performance and Risk Management

• Collaborate across functions to monitor supplier performance vs. agreed quality and service standards.
• Implement supplier scorecards and conduct regular performance reviews with largest suppliers, ensuring improvement plans are in place where necessary.
• Identify potential risks and develop contingency plans to protect the organization from supply interruptions or volatility.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in driving category management and strategy, supplier management and contract negotiations.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience across indirect procurement categories, with a preferred solid knowledge in Production Machines & Equipment and Production Materials & Services.
• Proficiency in procurement systems, ERP platforms, and e-sourcing tools (Coupa, Ariba).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to track and report procurement savings.
• Knowledge of procurement policies, compliance requirements, and supplier risk management.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Personal Characteristics:

• Detail-Oriented: Ensures procurement accuracy and compliance with contracts.
• Execution-Focused: Drives day-to-day procurement processes efficiently.
• Strong Negotiator: Capable of securing optimal pricing and contract terms.
• Problem-Solver: Resolves supplier and procurement issues effectively.
• Analytical Thinker: Uses data to identify savings and improve sourcing decisions.
• Collaborative Team Player: Works well across teams to support business needs.

Company Description

Lindt and Sprungli (North America) Inc. is the Supply Chain and Business Shared Services Company supporting the Lindt & Sprungli family of brands (Lindt USA, Ghirardelli Chocolates and Russell Stover Chocolates), headquartered in Kansas City, MO.

Employment by Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, and satisfactory employment and background checks.

Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Principals only, please.