Manager, Strategic Procurement - Sweeteners, Africa

Job Title: Manager, Strategic Procurement - Sweeteners, Africa

Location: Nairobi, Kenya or Johannesburg, South Africa

Reports to:  Managing Director - Global Sweeteners, GSP/Coca-Cola Cross Enterprise Procurement Group

Department:  Global Sustainable Procurement-Coca-Cola Cross Enterprise Procurement Group (CEPG)

Position Requirements

Scope

Responsible for the development and execution multi-geographic supply strategies and the negotiation process for the procurement of nutritive sweeteners spanning raw sugar, direct mill white sugar, refined sugar, high fructose starch sweeteners (HFSS) and crystalline fructose covering the Coca-Cola system’s Africa Group.

The role involves working as part of the Core Team of the global Coca-Cola Cross-Enterprise Procurement Group (CEPG) for Sweeteners and in the process working with key stakeholders and diverse cultures covering suppliers, bottling partners, Corporate and key functions in Business Units such as Technical, Marketing and Finance.

The role addresses and influences a spend of around US$ 500 million a year for inputs that in turn translate into a multi-billion dollar product portfolio which is critical to the growth and profitability of the growing business of the Coca-Cola system in Africa. The area covers the bottlers present in across most of Africa representing a mix of free and regulated markets. Importantly the geography also covers several key sugar importing markets that import world market refined sugar.

The role calls for wider global responsibilities such as the development of an Export Platform tied to regional sugar that can export to the European Union under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme.

The Manager ensures adaptation of global and regional procurement strategies to meet the needs of bottlers through the development and implementation of relevant action plans.

The role envisages the ability to build and enhance key relationship across functions and at upper levels in the organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

Development and execution of creative and value-added Product Procurement Strategies related to the procurement of sweeteners by CEPG sweetener programme participants in the defined geographic area

Ensuring Continuity of Competitive Supply, while monitoring and projecting long term regional supply / demand (capacity planning) and product cost modelling for sweeteners.

Supplier Relationship Management within an extremely complex supply base to maximize alignment and achieve competitive spread. This includes development and supporting the approval of new suppliers, while ensuring ongoing review of financial and technical capabilities of the overall supply base.

Negotiation of Supply Contracts: Lead and conclude effective contract negotiations with suppliers involving complex structures for agreements of varying duration, ensuring value and competitive advantage for CEPG participants

Cost Analysis, Cost Benchmarking and Competitive Intelligence for sweeteners

Commodity Price Forecasting for the defined geographic area covering both free and regulated markets

Commodity Risk Management: Ability to understand and present solutions to bottlers covering both exchange-traded and Over- The-Counter solutions for risk management linked to global futures exchanges – specifically New York Raw Sugar and London White Sugar. In the process the manager would need to work with relevant counterparties such as financial institutions and suppliers

Leveraging Supplier Research and Development Spend to provide innovation to the Coca-Cola system

Understanding the Regulatory Policy and Tariff Environment as relates to sugar and HFSS to develop approaches that optimize procurement.

Driving the work on Dual Sweetener usage (Sugar and /or HFSS), Reformulation (using artificial and / or natural intense sweeteners) and Formula Optimization (including areas such brix levels). This entails working with multiple cross-functional stakeholders such as suppliers, bottling partners, Global Sustainable Procurement, Research & Development as well as key functions in Business Units such as Technical, Marketing and Finance.

Supporting the implementation of new Sweetener Process Technologies in the geography.

Driving forward the system’s Sustainability agenda as relates to water usage, yields and overall environmental considerations.

Increasing Core Procurement and Commodity Competency of the Regional CEPG Extended Sweeteners Team by building capability and sharing knowledge / best practices

Managing Regional Freight requirements.

Related Job Requirements/Qualifications


At least 11-13 years of progressively responsible related experience, with a strong track record and international exposure - especially across Africa

Soft commodity experience especially in the areas of strategy development and risk management.

Experience in core and leadership competencies, including establishing collaborative working relationships, project management, planning and organizing, building accountability, follow-up, process improvement, contingency planning, communication, attention to detail and presentation skills.

Ability to influence, penetrate and interface with all levels of supply chain within the Coca-Cola system.

Proven ability to quickly adapt to differing working environments in order to accomplish objectives and achieve results by motivating others into action.

Willingness to travel extensively

Educational Requirements



Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. MBA preferred.


Travel Requirements


Domestic and international travel – Approximately 30-40%.


Honesty and integrity have always been cornerstone values of The Coca-Cola Company. Our passion for people of integrity mirrors our spirited drive for total quality in our brands. These and other elements allow the company to sustain strategic practices and drive business performance. The Personnel Integrity Assurance Program is another step toward making The Coca-Cola Company the premier workplace. This process includes a pre-employment background investigation that applies to all applicants employees and contractors of the company. The scope of this inquiry may cover such elements as education employment history a criminal history check reference checks and a pre-employment drug screen. Designated countries or sensitive positions within the company may have more stringent standards. 

At The Coca-Cola Company you can cultivate your career in a challenging and dynamic environment. We are the largest manufacturer and distributor of nonalcoholic drinks in the world-selling more than 1 billion drinks a day. Unlock your full potential with a future-focused company that is known and respected throughout the world. 

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