Category Manager Grains & Sweeteners
IFF · Polanco
Job Summary
Please submit your CV in English as part of your application process.
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
Global Operations: Ensuring excellence in execution, from procurement to supply chain and reliability, delivering quality, safety, efficiency and sustainability across the value chain.
The role is based in Polanco & Azcapotzalco (hybrid role). Be part of a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.
Where You'll Make a Difference
- Develop and execute regional category strategies for grains, starches and derivatives, soy, sweeteners, and other strategic raw materials, driving sourcing excellence and supplier performance across the North America market.
- Ensure supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and sustainable sourcing practices while delivering measurable business value.
- Apply IFF's strategic sourcing methodology through spend analysis, market intelligence, supplier assessment, and portfolio diversification initiatives.
- Develop and maintain commodity market analyses, should-cost models, supplier cost breakdowns, and pricing strategies to support sourcing and budgeting decisions.
- Build and strengthen strategic supplier relationships, driving collaboration, innovation, and technology-enabled solutions that support business growth.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Planning, Manufacturing Technology, Research & Development, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain teams to resolve critical supply challenges and implement contingency plans.
- Own category contributions to annual budgets, forecasts, productivity plans, and savings pipelines, communicating financial impacts to key stakeholders.
- Lead supplier business reviews, executive escalations, and strategic relationship plans for critical suppliers across North America.
- Provide leadership within Procurement by supporting team development, succession planning, and cross-category strategic initiatives.
What Makes You the Right Fit
- 7+ years of procurement experience managing high-value direct materials and developing sourcing strategies.
- 7+ years of supply chain experience involving raw materials, supplier management, and procurement best practices.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cost management principles.
- Demonstrated experience in supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiations.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting recommendations and business cases to senior leadership.
- Proficiency with ERP systems, including SAP and Oracle.
- Ability to analyze commodity markets, pricing trends, freight economics, and other supply-side factors to support strategic decision-making.
How Would You Stand Out?
- CPSM, SPSM, or equivalent procurement/supply chain certification.
- Knowledge of specialty grains and sweeteners markets, including supplier landscape and market dynamics.
- Experience driving sustainability initiatives, supplier innovation programs, or category transformation projects on a regional or global scale.
Why Choose Us?
- Opportunity to directly influence sourcing strategies for critical global categories with significant business impact.
- High visibility with senior business and procurement leadership.
- Exposure to global teams, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Participation in strategic initiatives supporting innovation, sustainability, and business growth.
- Professional development and career advancement opportunities within a global organization.
- Inclusive, collaborative culture where diverse perspectives drive better outcomes.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more