Procurement Specialist (Susumas)

Role Purpose:

The Procurement team aims to be a trusted business partner at Fonterra, working closely with other functions and being the supplier’s preferred customer. The team focuses on three core processes: category management (identifying value), strategic sourcing (securing value), and vendor relationship management (maintaining value), all supported by continuous improvement and compliance. This role involves:

• Developing sourcing strategies for mid-size or low-risk categories/contracts and leading the strategic sourcing process with a transparent and auditable approach.
• Negotiating contracts to maximize sustainable value and achieve win-win outcomes.
• Proactively managing vendor relationships with a focus on cost, service, risk, quality, safety, sustainability, and process improvement.
• Coordinating artwork development with teams and suppliers to meet timelines and production plans.
• Managing approximately 700+ packaging SKUs and 1200+ parts SKUs for two production plants.
• Handling supplier complaints and working to improve their performance.
• Sourcing and managing spare parts and maintenance services to meet specifications, budgets, and delivery expectations.
  
  

Key Accountabilities

Category Management

• Connect and align with the Procurement Manager to ensure all in market Sourcing activity both aligns with the applicable GCM strategies and can maximise the leverage of in-market and global buying opportunity.
• Facilitate under the direction of the Procurement Manager the provision of in-market supply analytics in support of in Group Procurement Category activity.
  
  

Compliance

• To be a champion of the Fonterra Procurement Policies, Standards and Guidelines.
• To promote, inform and guide a wider understanding of the above to enable the business functions to meet their own obligations for compliance.
• Attain a minimum proficient level of understanding of the requirements of the Fonterra Procurement Policies, Standards and Guidelines.
• To run PO non-compliance report on monthly basis and ensure corrective action has been taken to prevent similar issue repeat.
• Manage the PO compliance with relevant stakeholders on monthly basis.
  
  

Strategic Sourcing

• Define sourcing strategy taking account of appropriate category strategies ensuring the robust determination of requirements, specifications and selection criteria and review of proposals.
• Manage and facilitate vendor selection and sourcing exercises using best process as devised for each specific business requirement, including multi-level RF(x) utilising supporting Group Procurement technology processes and systems as appropriate.
• Ensure that any conflict of interest is assessed—mitigated where identified—and monitored, both prior to and during the sourcing process and that the process is run ethically, transparently and is well documented and auditable.
• Involve key stakeholders over three phases—prior to, during and post the sourcing process to ensure buy-in, functional requirement alignment.
• Initiate and manage the pre-qualification for potential new vendors.
• Negotiate and execute commercial agreements with vendors.
  
  

Vendor Relationship Management

• Act as the market intelligence contact for internal customers (where no category management exists).
• Act as a principal member of team during sourcing activity (e.g., as Subject Matter Expert “SME”) and supporting Procurement Specialist roles.
• Define Vendor Management strategies including maintain a detailed understanding market vendor.
• Manage vendor performance including liaise with key business stakeholders regarding vendor performance metric and performance.
• Conduct on-going Vendor Management Strategies Monitor and report on compliance from both an internal and vendor basis.
• Deliver savings and benefits identified and targeted by the Business, in Group Category Strategies and Vendor Plans and Sourcing Projects.
• Monitor and report health, safety, environmental and sustainability issues.
• Drive compliance to the Fonterra sustainability and other Fonterra policies, ambitions, and targets.
• Pursue innovation and process improvement activities with vendors and internal Business Units.
• Where appropriate prioritise the vendor audit schedule and liaise on vendor audits with the Product Assurance Team.
  
  

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, or a related role preferably in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation skills especially in contract terms and pricing.
• Experience in managing and developing relationships with suppliers to ensure quality and reliability.
• Ability to manage time effectively to meet procurement deadlines and project timelines.
• Experience in leading or supporting procurement-related projects.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.
  
  

Our Story

Fonterra is a global nutrition company owned by 10,000 farming families in New Zealand. We employ 20,000 people around the globe and offer amazing opportunities for people who want to join our team. Our New Zealand-made dairy products are enjoyed in 140 markets across the globe. Our products are loved by people for their balanced nutrition, quality craftsmanship and sheer indulgence.

At Fonterra, diversity, inclusion, and flexibility are a big part of our business, and with a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders and passionate people, this is a great place to work, please apply and join our team.