Senior Strategic Operations Manager - Logistics/Transportation

What are we looking for?

• Ideally you will have 5+ years’ commercial or purchasing experience, preferably in the areas of services both direct and indirect buying.

• Transportation / logistics buying experience preferred.

• We want someone who shares our passion for driving value for our business by leveraging various sourcing channels.

• Bachelors degree required / master's degree preferred.

What will be your key responsibilities?

The role manages purchasing categories for indirect goods and services for the Logistics category at a regional level with the primary focus on strategy implementation and operational execution to deliver long term competitive advantage by maximizing value for money and protecting the business. He/she manages global or regional initiatives by leveraging supplier relationships and strategic partnerships to drive standardization across regions and segments where feasible. He/she works collaboratively with cross functional partners to implement sourcing strategies and standards and embedding the sourcing strategy and applying key commercial signature processes (e.g. responsible sourcing, supplier performance relationship management, etc.). He/she will be playing an active role in the design of regional and/or global best practices, ensuring best practice knowledge management and implementation. This role is responsible for identifying and delivering value chain optimization opportunities and ensures that the team acts as the first line of escalation on issues between suppliers the business, all within the context of driving the supplier relationship management process.

Specifically, the role is a strategic leadership role for the end-to-end Category Management of North American (NA) Dry Van Transportation. Spend for this role is growing with $300M annually across the US for Pet, Royal Canin and Food. As part of the NA Transportation Team, this role has leadership responsibilities with stakeholders to provide a high level of service to Mars’ customers at a competitive price, while developing and leading Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), including Continuous Improvement initiatives, and to ensure appropriate issue resolution escalations are made.

Key Responsibilities:

• Purchase indirect goods & services by securing price, capacity & service levels in line with commitments to the business and as per the sourcing strategies by applying a wide range of sourcing tools (e.g. negotiation, e-procurement, strategic collaboration, tenders/RFP’s, etc.)

• Implement supply base strategy. Assess and develop suppliers in order to meet business needs and opportunities

• Ensure effective risk management of the supply base, through robust contracts and monitoring of financial and other KPIs. Implement corrective actions as appropriate. Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical aspects of projects

• Establish & maintain relationships with finance directors, department directors (plant manager, marketing director, sales director, supply chain director, ...), and their teams to ensure understanding of their needs and to facilitate the appropriate level of challenge

• Ensure compliance with policies, systems & controls

• Provide market and financial insights and inputs to the internal sourcing planning process

• Provide input to and execute the Global & Regional MSSM at a local level and other major work streams

• Lead and contribute to global/regional projects as required

• Actively participate in cross segment team meetings, as well any global and/or specific subcategory team meetings

• Regularly maintain & update relevant KPIs (related to in scope investments: e.g. savings, payment terms etc)

• Responsible for providing support, training and guidance to junior and/or new team members. As well as coaching and motivating local operations buyers in the achievement of their objectives. Provide support as needed to individual buyers in complex negotiations and critical issues (e.g.: disputes that threaten continuity of supply, termination of major suppliers, suppliers causing late delivery of projects).

• Acts as the liaison between the sites and, or Business units and the sourcing managers to communicate changing business needs (e.g. specification, volume changes, etc.) and its impact to strategy development

• Works with other functions to support new product launches, line extensions, and execution of continuous improvement programs for indirect goods and services in scope for the role.

• Execute supplier performance reviews on a regular basis.

• Develop & implement a continuous improvement action plan. Monitor changes and adjust the plan as needed to sustain performance results

• Identifies and manages supplier collaboration initiatives via robust SPRM program

• Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical situations. Supports Commercial initiatives

• Identifies opportunities, roadblocks with respect to regional strategies and determines next best local approach as needed.

• Collaborate with other buying operation managers and drive continuous improvement to become more effective and efficient

• Influences internal stakeholders to align with global & regional buying strategy

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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