Title:  Cluster Category Manager (Taipei)

We’re JTI, Japan Tobacco International and we believe in freedom. We think that the possibilities are limitless when you’re free to choose. In fact, we’ve spent the last 20 years innovating, creating new and better products for our consumers to choose from. It’s how we’ve grown to be present in 130 countries.

But our business isn’t just business. Our business is our people. Their talent. Their potential. We believe when they’re free to be themselves, grow, travel and develop, amazing things can happen for our business. 

That’s why our employees, from around the world, choose to be a part of JTI. It is why 87% of employees feel happy working at JTI. And why we’ve been awarded Global Top Employer status, eight years running. 

So when you’re ready to choose a career you’ll love, in a company you’ll love, feel free to #JoinTheIdea. 

Learn more: jti.com

Position Purpose

The incumbent is responsible for:

1. Managing and motivating the local team to deliver optimal service and value to all JTI employees. Responsible for fostering close collaboration with all key stakeholders and Business Service function to support the Procurement brand and outreach. With reporting line to the Cluster Procurement Lead and dotted line to the local CFO.

2. Managing procurement activities for the Marketing & Sales + RRP category within own cluster in additional to supporting the local organization with other strategic procurement activities. Works in close collaboration with global category lead for appointed category and local management for all other strategic sourcing and contracting initiatives. As well as effective management of local supplier relations. Contributes to the development of assigned category and implements the right procurement strategy in close collaboration with business partners within own cluster. Secures the supply of goods and services required by the organization to the specified quality, service and cost criteria through the implementation of harmonized and consistent sourcing strategies.  Critical success factors encompass implementation of global category strategies within the cluster. Business partnership mindset is a must.

Main Areas of Responsibility

People Management & Leadership

• Lead the development and management of procurement staff in line with JTI and Global Finance mission, values and strategies.
• Develop a strong team including succession planning and appropriate development roles for potential leaders in Procurement and broader JTI (finance) organization.
• Develop a pool of talent, ready to staff Cluster and Global Procurement teams.

Category Management Strategy

• The incumbent is responsible for procurement activities of the appointed business category within own cluster.
• Rolls-out appropriate strategies set forth by the Global Category Lead, provides sound direction for appointed category and ensures close collaboration with all cluster stakeholders.
• Works in close collaboration with Global Category Lead/Procurement Cluster Lead to ensure global strategy considers local requirements and that suppliers' list is managed in the most efficient & effective manner for the cluster.

Suppliers' Management

• Identifies and manages regional/local suppliers' pool.
• Negotiates strategic contracts and ensures optimum and sustainable supply conditions.
• Recommends timely strategic decisions where relevant to prevent procurement inefficiencies.
• Ensures sustainability of supply and effective supplier relationship management throughout the supply chain.
• Demonstrates ability to challenge status quo, proposes and runs projects that will add value to both Procurement and business functions.
• Provides necessary support to Global or Regional procurement teams for implementation.
• Supports Global Category Leads to build Innovation & Sustainability strategy with Global suppliers and promotes any ideas that could represent a competitive advantage for JTI.

KPIs & Targets

• Achieves set Procurement negotiation targets and KPIs.
• Plans and delivers Savings targets.
• Develops and recommends strategic sourcing plan/decisions. Leads and/or supports supplier bidding processes in close cooperation with respective business partners to ensure best combination of quality, cost and service parameters/conditions for products and services are attained.
• Drives strategy implementation at local and cluster level for assigned category and monitors performance.
• Ensures corrective actions are taken when required.

Business Partnership

• Focuses on demonstrating value of Business Partnership, by developing a customer-oriented approach.
• Aligns strategy with key business partners and ensures it meets Business' priorities.
• Establishes alignment and effective communication among procurement organization, business partners and suppliers.
• Takes preventive actions to avoid supply issues and resolves problems in due time.
• Assumes responsibilities for additional projects, tasks as assigned by his/her superior and reflect core behaviors in all aspects of work.

Market Intelligence

• Shares category intelligence, identifies trends and opportunities.
• Applies best practices in procurement process management by utilizing latest models and takes necessary actions for areas of improvement.
• Conducts supply risk assessments, builds contingency plans, finds alternative ideas, solutions in securing best conditions for the company including extensive market research and proactive sourcing of innovative suppliers.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Required

• University degree
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in similar environment in a multinational company
• English communication skills
• Mandarin communication skills preferred
• MS Office tools and SAP.
• Strategic thinking, effective negotiations, communication, interpersonal, financial analysis, leadership, business environment knowledge, management of internal and external parties, decision making, identifying and applying efficiencies.