Regional Category Manager Packaging WE

The Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) in Switzerland integrates a number of central functions in the Carlsberg Group: H&S, Quality, Procurement, Production, Logistics and Planning. Group H&S is developing, communicating and driving an effective coordinated H&S Strategy for ISC and commercial teams. Group ISC manages the brewery network, handles the global procurement processes, sets the global standards for quality, brewing technology, ensures end-to-end planning and aims to deliver world-class logistics and customer service.

Working for the ISC will give you the chance to contribute to this highly ambitious integrated function within the Carlsberg Group as well as the opportunity to set your own "foot print" in the organisation during its rapid development. If you enjoy working in an international environment, have an entrepreneurial spirit and can see yourself supporting our purpose, “Brewing for a better today and tomorrow”, the ISC in Carlsberg can be a unique chance for your career and personal development

Regional Category Manager – Packaging WE

As one of the leading brewers in the world, Carlsberg can offer you an exciting international career with outstanding individual growth opportunities. Working in the major league of global beer brands, you will be faced with many professional challenges allowing you to grow in your professional career. All it takes is your commitment and courage to face challenges head-on – and a passion for winning!

Regional Category Manager (RCM) for Packaging is responsible to define and implement category strategies for allocated packaging categories in Western Europe and SEB (Southeastern Europe & Baltics) regions.

RCM is responsible for understanding procurement needs within the regions and connecting them to the supply markets. RCM leads sourcing strategy definition, sourcing including tenders and supplier negotiations, implementation, and stakeholder management. RCM is accountable for financial forecasting of costs across the region. RCM handles some of the operational tasks related to contract implementation, claims and returns handling.

RCM is, in collaboration with Packaging Category Director WE, expected to provide best balance between price, quality and service levels for the categories in scope and this requires close cooperation with the Regional Supply Chain Leadership, Regional Planning, Country Procurement members, as well as, with other relevant stakeholders in the region’s central and local business units. RCM must ensure that the maximum value is being extracted through sound stakeholder engagement, value propositions to suppliers, adherence and compliance to Group’s policies, procedures etc.

RCM delivers country category value improvement initiatives as agreed with the Packaging Category Director WE. This may be delivered leading / working with cross functional teams.

The position will be based in Ziegelbrücke (greater area Zurich), Switzerland. The required skills & competencies to succeed in this role are:

Personal qualifications / competencies:

Strategic and analytical thinking / Holistic mind-set
Ability to effectively communicate at all levels / across all functions / within multiple countries
Flexible, able to learn fast and willing to adapt
Results / execution focused
Structured approach to planning and organizing Exceptional problem-solving skills
Self-disciplined

Growth Mindset

We live growth mindset culture in Carlsberg, we are looking for new colleagues who:

Live by Semper Ardens (always burning) and constantly strive for the extraordinary
Foster an environment of positive energy and compassion
Passionate about the consumer in everything we do
Decide fast and deliver with excellence
Empower, support, and grow our people to reach their full potential

Professional qualifications / competencies:

Analytical drive to independently perform market and industry analysis
General knowledge and experience to conduct spend & demand analysis
Strong analytical skills – leverage quantitative & qualitative information to assess, screen and select suppliers, e.g. through Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
General understanding of financial assessment
Expert in RFx related support including optimal execution
Common knowledge about e-auction development and execution
Strong knowledge about commercial negotiations
Direct experience with contract planning and execution
Knowledge of Source-to-Pay Processes
Strong knowledge about contract negotiations
General understanding of Supply Chain Management and LEAN tools
Experience with Supplier Relationship Management
Ability to assess risk, handle claims and solve related issues
Thorough knowledge about governance/policies & procedures
Contract Management
Project management skills across functions and cultures
Ability to work in virtual teams
Stakeholder management skills
Customer focus including internal stakeholders
Extensive usage of Microsoft Power Point, Word, Outlook and Excel
Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Experience:

Minimum 5 years relevant commercial experience within all aspects of strategic & tactical procurement on regional or global level
International work experience in related industry / FMCGs preferably within packaging materials categories

Language:

Fluent in English language (spoken and written)

Key responsibilities:

Lead regional strategy design, execution and implementation in countries in alignment with local stakeholders and the Country Procurement teams
Preparation and execution of RFx in cooperation with, Packaging Category Director WE, local stakeholders and the Country Procurement teams
Lead NPI/NPD, value engineering and sourcing activities in accordance with Carlsberg’s standardized sourcing process
Collect local TCO input and ensure regular feedback from/to local business units, among others reporting of TCO relevant statistics
Maintain good and trustworthy support, contact and communicate to commercial business and local supply chain on all levels
Actively manage sharing and implementation of cross-functional best practices across categories and countries
Escalation point on returns/claims before Packaging Category Director WE, when financial impact
Local stakeholder management on an on-going daily basis
Category analytics and database management
Manages budget process through deep cost structure understanding
Co-ordinate and run Supplier Performance reviews, setting and delivering clear value improvement agenda with suppliers / stakeholders.
Other administrative tasks.
Handle implementation of contractual commitments above threshold spend and follow up on performance.
Active involvement in problem solving (i.e. quality issues) and claim handling
Securing volumes and prices according to Group’s Commodity Hedging Policy when applicable

Travel days: Up to 15% within Western Europe & SEB

If you feel that you are ready for such a challenge and that you meet the above requirements, then apply through the below link. Application deadline: 5th of May 2025.

Carlsberg Group: Brewing for a better today and tomorrow

For us success has always been in the diverse mix of our people, our beers and our brands. At Carlsberg, we want to recruit and develop people with a global mindset, cultural understanding, and international experience to ensure that our organization stays agile, inclusive and prepared for future growth. Only by acknowledging and harvesting from different perspectives and experiences, will we gain competitive advantage and leverage the effect of diversity for business growth. Carlsberg aims to create equal access to opportunity regardless of social identity, and we encourage everyone to apply regardless of gender, nationality, race, religion or any other characteristics protected by law.