About the Opportunity

A multinational food company with operations across West and Central Africa is seeking an experienced Category Manager – Packaging to lead the strategic sourcing and category management agenda for packaging materials across multiple markets.

Purpose of the Role

Define, communicate, and ensure the implementation of short-, medium-, and long-term Packaging Category Strategies. Drive strategic and sustainable procurement initiatives that create business advantages through market and cost intelligence, economies of scale, structural cost competitiveness, supply risk management, strategic supplier partnerships, and packaging innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Sourcing

- Define Packaging Sourcing Strategy (short, medium and long term) based on Category Management principles and business needs.
- Monitor global packaging raw materials trends (paper, plastics, aluminum, glass, resins and additives).
- Develop Supply & Cost Transparency models for packaging materials.
- Define Sourcing Map & Market Strategy (local / regional / imports / mix).
- Propose and align procurement coverage with main stakeholders.
- Own category budgeting, savings delivery and deviation control.
- Ensure TCO visibility for all packaging materials.





- Drive Packaging Innovation and Sustainable Sourcing with suppliers and in coordination with R&D; (eco-design, downgauging, recyclability, mono-materials).
- Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for key and strategic suppliers.
- Establish governance and control ensuring transparency, compliance and procurement execution excellence.

Execution

- Execute supplier negotiations, contracting and commercial frameworks for packaging categories.
- Coordinate the deployment of category strategies with country procurement teams.
- Manage critical suppliers and ensure operational continuity with local teams.

- University degree: Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials Science, Economics or similar.
- >7 years’ experience in a similar role, ideally in FMCG.
- Strong background in Packaging procurement (primary & secondary packaging).
- Experience managing regional/integral suppliers and imports.
- Solid understanding of packaging cost structures and specifications.
- Fluency in English.
- SAP / SAP Ariba knowledge desirable.
- Strategic and business mindset (high impact role on cost and supply continuity).
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Analytical, fact-based decision making
- Transformational and continuous improvement mindset.
- Ownership and accountability.
- Impactful communication skills.

📌 Category Manager – Packaging (Barcelona)
🏢 Talent Clue
📍 Barcelona