Enjoy a career, packaged with care, whilst helping protect food, people and the planet
We are a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions. We’re on a mission to make all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Every day, we ensure the hygiene and safety of food and drink for people around the world. We are Huhtamaki.
You could be part of our vision. Because it’s our talented people that make it happen. Our people on the shop floor producing innovative, sustainable products. Our people in our offices delivering excellence for our customers every day. It’s every one of us working together.
We offer a place where you can feel safe, be supported, and make an impact so we can all focus on the future together.
Job Summary
The Country Category Manager – Indirects is responsible for developing and implementing the indirect procurement strategy across North America, covering categories including Logistics, Facilities, Capex, and MRO. The role focuses on optimizing costs, managing supplier performance and risks, and ensuring strong alignment with global category strategies and local business requirements.
Essential Functions
Category Strategy & Value Creation
- Develop and adapt category strategies for major indirect spend areas (Logistics, Facilities, Capex, MRO) to support business needs and optimize costs.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for consolidation, innovation, and value creation within the North American region.
- Make strategic sourcing decisions in accordance with global policies and frameworks, including selection of Capex suppliers and pricing in collaboration with stakeholders.
Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFx processes, negotiation tactics, supplier selection, and contract management.
- Determine sourcing strategies (RFx approach, bidder selection, negotiation tactics) for region-specific indirect categories.
- Select suppliers for indirect spend within delegated authority limits.
- Approve contract renewals, extensions, and commercial terms (payment conditions, SLA structures, KPIs) within guidelines and financial authority.
Operational Execution
- Approve purchase requisitions for indirect categories within delegation limits.
- Make rapid sourcing decisions during emergencies or urgent needs (e.g., facility breakdowns, urgent logistics requirements).
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with governance procedures and regional regulations.
Stakeholder & Global Alignment
- Collaborate with business leaders, finance, and functional partners to understand requirements and deliver procurement solutions that support operational and strategic objectives.
- Serve as the regional point of contact for global category teams, ensuring alignment and execution of global frameworks, supplier strategies, and long-term plans.
Job Qualifications
Required
- 5–8 years of experience in procurement or category management, preferably with a focus on indirect categories.
- Strong negotiation skills and proven ability to manage stakeholders and supplier relationships.
- Experience working in a multinational or matrixed environment; familiarity with North American markets, sourcing practices, and relevant commercial regulations.
- Analytical mindset with proficiency in spend analysis and procurement tools and systems
Environment
- Hybrid work environment that mixes in-office and remote work to offer flexibility and support to employees. In-office hours are set by group Manager.
- Work hours are usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but could require after hours and weekend work to complete projects on time
- Travel as needed; up to 10%
Join us. Help protect food, people and the planet.
Skills Required
- Technical expertise in sourcing
- Ability to analyze performance against KPIs
- Experience in producing management reports
- Skills in planning timely sourcing of materials
What We Do
Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste. We embed sustainability in everything we do. We are committed to achieving carbon neutral production and designing all our products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030. We are a participant in the UN Global Compact and EcoVadis has awarded Huhtamaki with the Gold medal for performance in sustainability. To play our part in managing climate change, we have set science-based targets that have been approved and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. With 100 years of history and a strong Nordic heritage we operate in 37 countries and 103 operating locations around the world. Our values Care Dare Deliver guide our decisions and help our team of around 18 000 employees make a difference where it matters. Our 2023 net sales totaled EUR 4.2 billion. Huhtamaki Group is headquartered in Espoo, Finland and our parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Find out more about how we are protecting food, people and the planet on www.huhtamaki.com
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