Global Category Manager, External Manufacturing (Food Ingredients)

Location: Asturias, Spain, preferred with a hybrid model; remote candidates may be considered

Company

hirify.global is a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, with this role supporting its Food Ingredients business.

What you will do

• Develop and execute the global External Manufacturing category strategy across the Food Ingredients business.
• Lead sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and commercial value-creation programs.
• Build and manage strategic manufacturing partner relationships, improving performance, innovation, quality, service, and cost competitiveness.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, capabilities, constraints, cost drivers, and supplier proposals.
• Support manufacturing footprint decisions, capacity planning, risk mitigation, and make-versus-buy assessments.
• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, Finance, Commercial, and Procurement stakeholders on growth, launches, innovation, and supply continuity.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, or Supply Chain within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Contract Manufacturing, Toll Manufacturing, Co-Manufacturing, or other External Manufacturing models.
• Proven success leading complex commercial negotiations and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production processes, operational cost drivers, and manufacturing cost structures.
• Strong commercial, analytical, financial, stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Fluent English is required.

Nice to have

• Experience in Food Ingredients, Food Manufacturing, Flavors & Fragrances, Biotechnology, Dairy Ingredients, Specialty Ingredients, Chemicals, or related industries.
• Previous experience in Operations, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Production, or Plant environments.
• Knowledge of fermentation, microbiological production, drying, powder processing, blending, mixing, grinding, milling, agglomeration, and ingredient processing.
• Experience with should-cost analysis, manufacturing cost breakdowns, value engineering, and procurement savings.

Culture & Benefits

• International, cross-functional environment focused on science, creativity, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Medical coverage with optional family coverage.
• Pension plan and life and accident/disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program and Benefits Club discounts.
• Remote work options and flexible working hours.