Category Buyer - Marketing & Activations (Services Buyer) (6746)

ABOUT THE GROUP

From a small store in Turin to a large, internationally recognized group: we are present in 90 countries around the world, with over 5,000 employees and 30 companies, managed directly and indirectly by the Luigi Lavazza Spa parent company, which distribute and market our products and coffee machines. In addition to Lavazza, the following brands are also part of our Group: Carte Noire, Merrild, Kicking Horse, Eraclea and Whittington tea.

Joining Lavazza means doing business with passion, knowing that the impact of our work goes beyond the quality of the production chain. We are a big family and are constantly looking for new talents who share our values and can enrich our team. We combine competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility as we create superior quality products available for consumption both at home and out of home, and distributed through all channels: Retail, Foodservice, Office Coffee Service (OCS), and Vending. Our strong, diversified presence enables us to offer consumers and clients perfectly suited solutions, for any occasion and time of day.

JOB OVERVIEW

Lavazza North America is embarking on a growth plan to substantially expand our market share in the Americas. As part of this growth plan, a large focus will be on our Office Coffee Sales channel, optimizing our relationships with key distributors. Along with offering a best-in-class range of solutions for the market, Lavazza is expanding our Sales team into new territories to best support this strategic business initiative.

At Lavazza North America, the Category Buyer - Marketing & Activations (Service Buyer) will be responsible for supporting a procurement category within the Investments & Services Procurement category area.  This involves collaborating with the Investments & Services Lead and relevant stakeholders to understand internal business needs and overall procurement objectives, targets and supporting a defining category management strategy.  The candidate has responsibility for the Marketing Services & Exhibits and Activation. Furthermore, this role will be responsible for maintaining supplier relationships, contracting, and overseeing purchase-to-pay processes of the category.  This role requires keeping track of KPIs, Business Reviews and metrics to assess budget vs actual spending progress and providing reports to senior management.

Location: West Chester, PA

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JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparing, managing and conducting negotiations with suppliers.
• Initiate purchase orders and framework agreements for goods and services.
• Optimizing the supplier base, in terms of number and level of Quality/Reliability.
• Finding appropriate approval alternatives with a view to reducing costs and mitigating risk.
• Identifying working methodologies aimed at operational efficiency.
• Achieving the assigned economic/quality targets.
• This person must also guarantee the end-to-end management of the Purchase-To-Pay process based on priorities and guarantee the level of service to internal stakeholders by supporting the needs of the business through the entire process chain.
• Implementing and managing contracts with various 3PL operators.
• Drafting and managing purchase orders (purchase order lifecycle).
• Supporting benchmarking/scouting activities with a view to reducing costs and mitigating risk.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES CONT.

• Collaborate with line manager and relevant stakeholders (i.e.., Project Managers, Planning, Operations, R&D, Marketing) to meet department and business timelines needs and financial targets.
• Execute the approved sourcing strategy for the category by assessing supplier’s capabilities, evaluate market conditions, submit RFI’s to probe core competencies and work with the technical teams to define the SOW’s and evaluate supplier capabilities for successful bidding and awards.
• Experience writing and negotiating contract terms, working with internal teams and management to ensure terms meet the needs of the current and future business strategies.
• Evaluate indexes and reviewing spend reports to determine risks, current and future states of category, gain insights in terms of industry dynamics and trends, market size, and supplier analysis. 
• Responsible to benchmark costs by quoting with multiple suppliers while understanding the price drivers to influence requirements and specifications internally and externally.
• Oversees Purchase-to-Pay processes of the category, ensuring compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, and priorities, orders are completed timely and accurately, effective purchase orders lifecycle management including eventual amendments and or cancellations.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable to ensure timely payments to suppliers.
• Performs all other duties as needed.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field, MBA a plus.
• 2-5 years of years of successful experience in procurement department managing technical purchasing for large production facilities.
• Knowledge of the main contractual aspects in the procurement sector (contracts, forms, environmental regulations)
• Ability to interpret technical drawings/specifications.
• Financial acumen to understand business needs for savings, ROI’s, working capital, and profitability.
• Experience with ERP and MRP systems.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in interacting with internal customers and external suppliers.
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills.
• An eagerness to learn, personable demeaner, and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively amongst colleagues, and across all levels of management.
• Up to 25% travel may be required within the United States and internationally.

BENEFITS/PERKS

• Competitive Medical, Vision, Dental Benefits
• 401K Package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Onsite Cafeteria and Gym (West Chester location)
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Ability to be barista certified
• Monthly Lunches provided by Lavazza
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Performance Development Plans
• Employee Discounts
• Summer Friday’s (Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend)
• Flexible business casual dress code - jean friendly!
• Free coffee, anytime!