Group Category Manager – Dairy & Protein

Company background Swiss-based Aryzta is an international food business with a leading position in the frozen B2B bakery business in Europe and APAC. Aryzta’s customer channels consist of grocery, convenience, quick service restaurants, bakeries and foodservice. Listed on the Swiss stock exchange, Aryzta employs around 8,000 people today and has leading market positions in the bakery markets in Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, Romania and other European countries.

About Aryzta Europe Business Service Center The Business Service Center in Wrocław was established in 2023. Since May 2024, we have been operating as a separate company based in Wrocław at Legnicka Street. Our team currently consists of more than 100 employees. Our portfolio includes processes in the areas of finance, master data, procurement, IT, and project management.

We are looking for a Group Category Manager – Dairy & Protein. Location: Wrocław | Work Mode: Hybrid.

About the Role Are you ready to shape the global sourcing strategy for two business-critical categories? As our Group Category Manager – Dairy & Protein, you will combine deep market insight, commercial acumen and strong stakeholder leadership to create sustainable value across our international organisation. You will take ownership of the Dairy & Protein category strategy – from market analysis and supplier innovation to negotiation, contracting and implementation. Working closely with Procurement Colleagues, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance, you will build resilient supply partnerships, unlock value and help bring great bakery products to customers around the world.

Category scope

• Dairy: various milk derivatives; milk powders, cheese across different types/formats and a broad range of other milk derivatives used in bakery applications.
• Protein: primarily processed meat products, such as scalded sausages, hams, bacon etc. as well as egg products such as liquid egg and egg powders.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the category strategy: Develop and execute global Dairy & Protein sourcing strategies aligned with business priorities and procurement goals.
• Turn market insight into action: Monitor commodity markets, cost drivers, supply dynamics and emerging trends; translate insights into sourcing roadmaps, forecasts and recommendations.
• Lead strategic sourcing: Manage end-to-end RFx processes, supplier selection, negotiations and contracting, with a focus on total value across cost, quality, innovation, sustainability and risk.
• Build resilient partnerships: Develop strategic supplier relationships, lead business reviews and performance improvement plans, and drive joint innovation and value-creation initiatives.
• Deliver measurable impact: Identify and realise savings, mitigate inflation, optimise the supplier portfolio and strengthen working-capital performance.
• Manage risk and compliance: Ensure supply continuity, robust contingency planning, ethical sourcing and compliance with procurement governance and contracting standards.
• Drive implementation: Ensure global agreements and category initiatives are adopted across business units, sites and geographies.
• Lead across boundaries: Guide category teams, local procurement colleagues and cross-functional project members; coach stakeholders and build procurement capability.

Requirements

• A university degree in Business, Supply Chain, Food Science, Engineering or a related field; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in strategic procurement or category management, preferably within food, ingredients, FMCG or a manufacturing environment.
• Good knowledge of Dairy and/or Protein markets, including key cost drivers, supply dynamics and the supplier landscape.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing category strategies and managing sourcing projects in a regional or international setting.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and project-management skills, with practical experience in supplier selection and contracting.
• The confidence to collaborate with and influence stakeholders across different functions, cultures and geographies.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams or projects; initial coaching or functional leadership experience is an advantage.
• Very good Excel skills and experience with procurement or ERP systems; knowledge of SAP, GEP or analytics dashboards is an advantage.
• Fluent English, German or another European language is an advantage.

How you will make a difference Your success will be visible in sustainable savings, inflation mitigation, contract coverage and compliance, supplier performance, innovation contributions and the effective local implementation of global strategies. Just as importantly, you will strengthen collaboration and procurement capability across our network.

Why Join Aryzta? This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of strategically important categories in an international environment. You will work at the intersection of markets, innovation, operations and commercial strategy – supported by a collaborative procurement network and with the scope to create impact across the business.

Our main benefits

• Private medical healthcare for you and your family
• Life insurance for you and your family
• Multisport card
• Prepaid cards
• Lunch card
• Referral bonus
• Congratulatory gifts
• Social fund benefits
• And others

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and take your career to the next level, apply now and join us on this exciting journey!

Hays Poland sp. z o.o. is an employment agency registered in a registry kept by Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship under the number 361.

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