VP, Sourcing Lead Terpene Ingredients and Global Procurement Strategy & Excellence

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavors, food, nutrition and cosmetic ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and producers of nutritional supplements and pet food.

Its sales of € 4.7 billion in the 2023 fiscal year make Symrise a leading global provider. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented by more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America.

Scent & Care creates and sells fragrances, cosmetic ingredients, aroma molecules and mint aromas. Manufacturers use it to produce perfumes, personal care and cosmetic products, cleaning products and detergents, home fragrances and oral care products.

Symrise - always inspiring more…

As a sourcing lead the incumbent will directly manage the largest raw material spend category in the Symrise portfolio, Terpene Ingredients. Responsibilities will encompass managing spend efficiency, mitigating portfolio risks, and optimizing overall performance. Leading a three-person team, the individual will ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence in every aspect of their work.

The incumbent will also be responsible for procurement excellence and strategy for S&C
procurement propelling the ongoing transformation of the Procurement function. The incumbent will spearhead the establishment of best-in-class operational standards, ensuring S&C Procurement operates with unwavering compliance, data-driven decision-making, and a strong focus on our people. The role will foster organizational cohesion, cultivate a vibrant team culture, and drive talent management initiatives across the board. The individual in this position will have direct oversight of a four-person Procurement Excellence team, guiding them towards excellence in their respective
roles.

Essential Functions Sourcing Lead Terpene Ingredients

• Responsible for the terpene ingredients category encompassing managing spend efficiency, mill forecasts, mitigating portfolio risks, and optimizing overall performance
• Providing strategic guidance for future sourcing strategy to top management
  Manage Recovery Engineering team to optimize mill output and quality as well as sulfuric acid disposal at partner mills to mitigate shut down risk of COL production
• Participate in PCA meetings (spring and annual conference in the fall) and represent Symrise as a board member
• Manage CST supply chain from paper mills to Symrise (rail car fleet, trucks as well as external tank space and contracts) and optimize / balance for cost. Monitor cost adherence of supply chain partners to contracts

Essential Functions Procurement Excellence and Strategy S&C

• Procurement Strategy: Translate business objectives into actionable procurement/category strategies to drive top and bottom-line growth.
• Procurement Operations: Optimize procure-to-pay processes by eliminating tasks, standardizing procedures, and leveraging digitization. Manage material master and data enrichment to enhance transparency and strengthen compliance and governance structures.
• Market Intelligence & Analytics: Conduct in-depth market analysis, price forecasting, and cost modeling for top spend categories. Utilize predictive analytics to monitor FX rates, commodity indices, and supply/demand conditions. Drive fact-based negotiations through competitor benchmarking and industry outlook analysis.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate upcoming capacity constraints by recommending proactive strategies. Serve as the focal point for changing risk management approaches and governance practices.
• Culture and Talent Development: Foster a high-performing culture within Category Management and Procurement Excellence. Provide training and mentorship to upskill teams organization-wide.

• BS in Business, Supply Chain, or related field; Master's degree or certification (e.g. CSCP, CPIM, or CPSM), preferred
• Managerial experience at a paper mill, preferred
• 15+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain management or related, with expertise in strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, supplier relationship management, and procurement technology implementation preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; the ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and develop actionable insights to drive decision making
• Proficiency in procurement technology platforms, e-procurement tools, and data analytics software, advantageous.
• Proven experience in leading change management initiatives, driving organizational change, and managing resistance effectively. Experience in implementing new processes, systems, or ways of working within a procurement function, prferred.
• Travel up to 30%

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well-being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

Come join us and embark on a fascinating journey with Symrise.

If you feel that you fit the above criteria, then please apply by using our online application system. Your application will be treated confidentially.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.