Client Description

Ardo supplies its continuously growing markets around the world with high-quality frozen vegetables, herbs, and fruit with 4000 employees and 20 production sites in 9 countries. The family business sells in more than 100 countries and has a turnover of more than 1.1 billion euros. Ardo’s mission is to preserve the gift of nature as pure as possible.

The group’s know-how and flexible structure ensure that it can respond quickly to new trends and those innovative products can be brought onto the market quickly.

To further enhance the procurement department, we are looking for a category buyer packaging.

Job description

Ardo’s organization is gaining momentum and is preparing for the future with targeted investments in systems, processes, and people.

Within Procurement, they are continuing this transformation.

The Group Category Buyer Flexible Packaging manages the company’s end-to-end strategic sourcing for the flexible packaging category.

To lead and improve sourcing activities, contracting packaging on a Group level for all sites by analyzing the company’s spending, finding synergies, and leveraging advantages.

The Category Buyer Flexible Packaging will lead strategic sourcing of the category (specifically flexible Packaging for all deep-frozen products including industrial liners/bags and pallet wrapping foils) across the Ardo Group.

The main accountabilities of the role will be:

• Manage Flexible Packaging as a share of the company’s Group sourcing portfolio ensuring transparency of spending and cost.
• Leading brand/supply management of the Ardo brand.
• Generate and implement efficient sourcing and category management strategies.
• Manage vendor selection on Group level and build ongoing solid partnerships with vendors.
• Build and maintain ownership and deep expertise in defined materials.
• Lead the central Flexible Packaging procurement team in Ardooie responsible for contract management, flexible packaging supply planning, and ordering.
• Analyze and calculate costs of procurement and suggest methods and solutions to decrease/avoid the cost and/or expenditure.
• Develop negotiation strategies and secure the most competitive deals and (long-term)contracts
• Optimize sourcing and processes for flexible packaging to attain maximum efficiency.
• Guiding internal stakeholders on market- and procurement strategies.
• Maintaining procurement ethics following Ardo’s global values.
• Perform cost and scenario analysis and use benchmarking methods. Estimates risks and applies risk-minimizing techniques and procedures.
• Consolidate internal volumes. Discover, develop, maintain and partner up with selected vendors.
• Develop category innovation, vendor assurance, and quality assurance strategies.
• Develop, execute, manage and maintain sourcing contracts and pricing using Group ERP systems and processes.

• Work closely with the central flexible packaging procurement team and local supply chain teams in the execution of contracts and ordering of flexible packaging for the sites.

Profile

• BSc or MS degree in Supply Chain Management, (Food) Engineering, Logistics, Economics, or Business Administration.
• You have a proven work experience as a Lead Buyer, Strategic Buyer or Procurement Manager.
• You show experience in the packaging market.
• You can rely on in-depth experience in procurement practices (category management, benchmarking, cost models, RFX, reverse auction, contracting, category management, commodity risk management, etc.).
• You are passionate about innovation and sustainability solutions, creating a positive impact.
• You understand market dynamics and have strong situational awareness.
• You are a project manager with negotiation and analytical skills.
• You own excellent communication skills and the ability to produce clear and well-organized documents and presentations.
• You can apply new ways of working and new industry concepts.
• You describe yourself as a passionate self-starter with the highest integrity and ethics.
• You work with sourcing/procurement(ERP) systems, preferably SAP.
• You have an excellent knowledge of Dutch and English; profound knowledge of French is a plus.
• You are authentic, open minded and professionally correct. A team player who gets energy out of interaction with people.

Offer

• A dynamic family business and an international company? You will find the best of both worlds at Ardo.
• Your knowledge, skills, and dedication are regarded as the company’s driving force.
• The freedom to actively participate in shaping Procurement and the opportunity to develop professionally.
• Ardo offers attractive remuneration and an extra-legal package. They care for their people and create family- friendly surroundings by offering you the flexibility to work 2 days/per week from home.
• You will operate within a new role which you can shape according to your vision.
• You will be able to technically participate to multiple packaging solutions.
• High focus on innovation & sustainability.

Contact

 Nick Vermeulen | nick@purson.be | 0032 491 13 35 79