VIC Lead: Packaging Implementation at International Breweries

The key purpose of this role is to source, negotiate, and manage the supply of packaging materials to ensure timely delivery, cost efficiency, and quality compliance while supporting business production needs, sustainability goals, and supply security. This role also collaborates with cross-functional teams to optimize the supply chain and drive continuous improvement.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for supporting the development of stretching category strategies that clearly deliver Cost of Goods sold (COGS) initiatives and numbers in the Packaging Category.
• Responsible for the promotion of most effective and efficient use of company’s funds in the acquisition of goods and services through procurement of the right quality at the right price on time and in full.
• To contribute to profit growth though the brilliant execution of Category management to create value and deliver Procurement and business-initiated savings projects.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers of packaging materials (e.g., bottles, crates, labels, wraps, crowns) globally and locally.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure continuous and reliable supply of packaging materials.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules to ensure optimal costs and inventory levels.
• Manage supplier performance through regular reviews, KPI tracking, and performance audits.
• Monitor packaging material costs and implement cost-saving strategies without compromising quality.
• Manage the budgeting process for packaging materials and provide cost forecasts to management/stakeholder.
• Collaborate with the supply chain and production teams to ensure the timely delivery of packaging materials and avoid production delays.
• Work closely with R&D, marketing, and product development teams to understand packaging needs and contribute to the design of new packaging solutions.
• Supplier Performance Evaluation to Contract/Vendor Growth Plan, Contract Management, Supplier Selection and Strategic Sourcing, Support the Head of Procurement in driving the Procurement Function, acting as a key member of the team by leading the team’s robust application of key category management tools.
• Assist the Head of Procurement to form, coach and develop Procurement into a high performing team, by enhancing local Procurement capability in all aspects of best-in-class Procurement skills – Strategy development, Contract management, Industry/Economic/Supplier Analysis, Value chain mapping, etc.

Key Attributes and Competencies:

• Ensures that processes follow established compliance requirements
• Collaborate with supplier and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of sourcing strategy outputs / agreements
• Good knowledge, understanding and use of Microsoft Office tools
• Good analytical skills
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Sound knowledge of procurement systems like Ariba and use of eRFX and eAuction
• Knowledge of SAP an advantage
• Good presentation skills and experience of facilitating workshops/brainstorm sessions
• Being highly adaptable to frequent and rapid changes in workflow and project execution and willing to take on new challenges
• Capacity to work flexibly, proactively and unsupervised both individually and within a global team
• Ability to comfortably liaise across functions and at a senior level
• Willingness to learn and develop both the role and personally
• Proven leadership qualities and ability to inspire action and deliver high quality results

Minimum Requirements:

• Min. of B.Sc./HND in any related discipline.
• Relevant Tertiary Qualification
• 6 years+ procurement experience managing categories
• Regional or Global category management experience
• Sound knowledge and understanding of procurement strategic sourcing methodology