Senior Category Buyer Sponsorships

Seniority Level: Associate

#Ownership

Senior Category Buyer Sponsorships & Experiential

The Senior Category Buyer is responsible for development of European Category and Sourcing Strategies for assigned scope and implementation of them via strategic sourcing projects and other non-sourcing initiatives.

The Senior Category Buyer should apply business policies, standards and platforms including the agreed Category and Sourcing Management methodology.

At AB InBev, dreaming big is what we do. Brewing the world’s most loved beers, building iconic brands like Bud, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Tripel Karmeliet, Leffe and crafting meaningful moments are what inspire us.

We’re a team of passionate owners who aren’t afraid to dream big because we know that together, we can achieve anything. To build a more sustainable, inclusive and rewarding future. Turning any challenge into an opportunity. So let’s take on the challenge together.

Cheers to dreaming big

Scope of role

Assigned Scope: Partnerships and Experiential (XM). This includes Sponsorships, Brand Events, Brand and Trade Promo, Celebrities and Influencers categories.

Markets in scope: WEZ.

Accountabilities

The key accountabilities for this role include but are not restricted to:

Category Strategy

Define & execute European Category Strategy and Category roadmap;

Participate in development of global category strategies and support their execution;

Provide information for global/cross-zone sourcing streams and implement global and zone contracts;

Lead and execute strategic/tactical sourcing projects (see details below);

Manage supplier relationships and develop category Supplier Relationship Management (SRM);

Collaborate with functional budget owners and work closely with the Category Manager, Procurement Shared Services, Global Procurement Office and other relevant commercial stakeholders;

Maximize value for the Company through each initiative;

Monitor Category and contracts performance, price variance and take appropriate corrective actions when needed;

Track procurement results of the assigned area of responsibility and translate into reporting structures

Provide input on local supply market, demands and forecasts, assess continuously market environment, supply base, and identify major industry trends and threats.

Sourcing Process

Identify internal needs/ requirements

Explore market and engage suppliers

Run RFI/RFP/RFQ/eAuctions/F2F negotiations

Ensure benefits in service levels, quality, price, etc. and drive the optimal delivery of business requirements at optimal TCO

Develop business award scenarios and final recommendation

Prepare and present sourcing results to DAG approvers (incl. Zone President, VP Commercial, VP Procurement, BU president etc.)

Review, adjust, collect signatures and ensure implementation of negotiated contracts

Resolve outstanding contract/PO issues and claims

Complete contract termination requests & submit for approval

Consolidate contracts locally as well as across countries

Assure timely contract renewal and manage/plan contract expiration dates

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Challenge existing ways of working in order to improve procurement results and efficiency, delivering procurement targets;

Understand and follow global and zone governance – policies and procedures. Suggest improvement opportunities;

Increase Procurement coverage of the spend (where relevant);

Drive proper/transparent contracting/purchasing methods;

Identify, initiate and co-manage value creation efforts, innovation projects with internal teams and external organizations;

Support any procurement specific project (supplier portal, excellence program, etc.).

Request vendor or material data cleansing

Escalate issues to Category Manager

Manage the collaboration between our team and Marketing/Commercial function

Key contacts

Suppliers

Senior Category Buyers, Category Buyers and Spot buyers

Marketing, Trade Marketing and Commercial teams

Category Managers

Content & IT Management Lead and Specialists

Sourcing support and Specialists

Legal & Compliance teams

PTP team

Finance team

Qualifications and technical competencies required

Education

University Degree, preferably Master’s degree;

Fluent English. French, Dutch or another language will be considered as a plus

Skills required for success in this position

Strong communication skills ;

Curious and innovative mindset with the ability to build strong internal and external partnerships

Project management skills and ability to manage complex cross-country, cross-functional scope;

1-3 years working experience: Procurement, Commercial, Financial and international work experience is beneficial;

Fact driven, strong analytical skills enabling to understand cost models, sourcing results and financial and operational impact for the Company;

Eager to drive our sustainability agenda

DNA of Expert, Strategist and Executor

Knowledge of Procurement processes , methods and techniques, including negotiation skills, e-sourcing tools is beneficial;

Hands-on Procurement / Category management experience is a strong asset;

Team player, self-starter who likes to take the initiative;

Problem solving skills (Solution focused) & results oriented;

Ability to impact & influence: able to influence business partners and suppliers as well as the ability to be assertive if required to ensure compliance to contracts;

Ability to develop and maintain effective partnership working across geographic boundaries

Next to our competitive base salary, we put our people first by providing on-top benefits

Competitive Bonus

A Flexible Rewards system - (smartphone, bike lease, internet at home, Extra pension Plan, etc.)

Quarterly vouchers to taste our delicious beers

Compensation & seniority days in addition to legal holidays (40 Days total)

Meal vouchers, allowances, gift per company policy

A unique Parental leave

Competitive Life insurance, disability & medical plan

Learning & Development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning/ Workday Learning/Mentoring)

Multiple Physical & Mental Wellbeing support Initiatives

What you can expect from us

In this role, you’ll have the potential to transform our business and your career. You’ll get the support and mentor you need to succeed. We’re a meritocracy, with plenty of room for growth and development, so you know your hard work will be rewarded. We encourage you to think big and go after your goals. You’ll get to be creative, work with international teams so you can build a global network and have direct control over your career and where it takes you.

#LI-ABI ZoneEUR

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