AMEA Category Manager - Professional services and Marketing

Role purpose

• Functional reporting directly to the Head of Indirect Procurement AMEA and taking functional and strategic direction from the Global Category Managers and Global Sub Category managers to ensure the deployment of the global Sub-Category strategy including appropriate, and agreed, modifications to the global strategy to fit the needs of the region
• In cases where the is no global Category management, develop, validate, and implement sustainable category and sub-category strategies which are closely aligned with business requirements.  Strategies will typically cover a 1 to 3 year time horizon
• Build relationships and work closely with the Procurement Business Partner organisation in the region to ensure the Business Partners fully understand the strategies and are able to leverage them in supporting their clients requirements
• Provide expert external supply market knowledge across the category
•  Manage risk with third parties as well as achieve operational compliance across all Indirect Procurement activities relevant to the category
• Deliver targeted savings within the category ensuring no adverse impact on quality and time requirements
•  Typically provides scientific, technical, specialist/subject matter or product expertise
• Independent action to deliver short and long term goals
• Lead the integration of sustainability goals within category strategies, focusing on environmentally friendly sourcing, supplier diversity, and ethical procurement practices.
• adoption of global analytics, tools and insight to optimise  procurement processes, enhance supplier relationships, and enable data-driven decision-making.
• Stay updated on regional regulations and compliance requirements impacting procurement activities, ensuring adherence to relevant laws and industry standards.
• ensure that category strategies are aligned with the evolving needs and expectations of internal stakeholders and end-users.
• Make sure there is constant knowledge sharing between IPBPs and RCM.
• Optimised value for Syngenta across 3rd party spend
• Drives continuous value from our strategic partnerships
• Owns standardisation of process  across all categories
• Links innovative supplier solutions to business.

For the category or sub categories and geographic span which are within the job holder’s portfolio:

• Represent the regional in the global category network to strategize the global category plan ensuring that the region requirements and deployment plan are aligned.
•  Execute the regional/global category strategies in AMEA through obtaining buy in from business
• Demonstrate compliance with procurement processes regarding Sourcing (e-tendering), negotiation, Supplier Relationship Management (including performance management) and contract management
•  Builds strong relationships with the Procurement Business Partner organisation in the region, and where appropriate internal clients, in order to ensure appropriate strategies are aligned and deployed
•  Provide advice to Procurement Business Partner as subject matter expert for subcategory.
•  Approve Sourcing strategy submitted by Procurement Business Partner in APAC for specific subcategories. Influence negotiation strategy and award strategy for local requirements. 
• When necessary, cover other Regional Category managers
• Lead multifunctional/multinational sourcing teams and projects to achieve contracts, orders or agreements that are aligned with the Sub-Category strategy and hence deliver appropriate savings agreed with line management, Procurement Business Partners and internal clients
• In cases where there is no global Category management, by analysis of spend, detailed understanding of the supply market(s) and internal business requirements, develop and deliver Category and Sub-Category strategies achieving the agreement and support of Procurement Business Partners and their business clients.  Such strategies should ensure most efficient use of the various buying channels (Strategic Sourcing, Quote services, P-Cards, e-catalogues etc)
•  Support data collection, regional engagement for global sourcing projects.
•  Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers including leading negotiations
•  Spend analysis for Sub-Category in the region, including agreement and verification of savings/avoidance delivery, budget & forecast data
•  Is an Ambassador of the Procurement organisation
• Contributes to the development of an SRM program (if neecessary) appropriate to the requirements of the Sub-Category and the region
• Directly manages strategic and critical supplier relationships in the region
• Directly manage, or ensure management of, all significant regional contracts                                                                                                             
•  Support the development of procurement talent within the region, fostering a culture of continuous learning, skills enhancement, and knowledge sharing.
•  Implement a culture of continuous improvement within the category management function, leveraging feedback mechanisms and performance metrics to optimize processes and outcomes
• Ensure adherence to global procurement policies and ethical standards, implementing robust compliance monitoring mechanisms across the AMEA region.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while focusing on value creation through strategic supplier partnerships and innovative sourcing strategies.
• Continuously develop procurement expertise and engage with industry peers to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in procurement management.
• Often provides informal guidance to junior staff
• May coach team members on performance, completes employee performance evaluations and recommends pay actions.
• May manage projects or supervise individuals
• Builds relationships with key contacts within own network, internally and occasionally externally
• Commodity strategy needs to be defined, and connect with the IPBPs while making or implementing the stretgy.
• Business case to be developed(if needed)
• RCMs have to visit the local countries to build the business understanding and knowledge transfer to IPBPs  and other shareholders.
• Identify new Suppliers with quality and cost effective according to the quality / preferred vendor list for critical sourcing and Price benchmarking
• Develop decision matrix for all subcategories and Supplier RFP and pricing model templates development and standardization
• Giving inputs to global Contracts on behalf of AMEA countries together
• Apply best practice tools & methods to drive business value
• Aggregate and translate business demand into effective solutions

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading agriculture innovation company. Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.

A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet.

Knowledge, skills & experience

Critical knowledge

• Capability in developing sourcing strategies and leading the implementation.
•  Good knowledge of internal purchasing procedures and processes, and solid knowledge of the external trends and best practice.
• Leadership of complex multi country sourcing teams and projects
•  Ability to develop performance measures for Sub-Categories with stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of the relevant supply markets, keep up to date on market development.
• Requires knowledge and understanding within own discipline/work area.
• Understanding of Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Management Expertise

Critical skills

• Strategy development and implementation
• Development of strategic relationships with suppliers
• Strong business partnering experience and stakeholder management.
• Strong negotiation skills
• Contract management skills.
•  Ability to influence peers and indirectly managed teams.
•  Good communication and presentation competencies
• Project Management skills
• Ability to Delivers results in potentially fast changing businesses and/or regulatory environments and make decisions accordingly.
• Ability to collaborate efficiently with staff at all levels within Syngenta.
• Strategic Cost Management Skills
• Change Management and Adaptability skills.
• Critical Thinking and Problem solving
• Talent Development and Team Building
• Continuous Learning and Professional Development skills
• Innovation and Creativity

Critical experience

• Good procurement experience, at least 5-8 years in a procurement role
•  Category Management Experience
• Working in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment
•  Project team leadership (geographically dispersed and cross-functional with proven results)
• Proven track record of success in negotiations with suppliers
•  Degree, commercial qualification e.g. MBA/Engineering
• Experience working in a collaborative environment