Sourcing Director, Operations Unit, UK & Ireland

What makes this a great opportunity?

• The role is part of the International Sourcing function and is responsible for the sourcing requirements for Scotland & Ireland. The role will cover direct spend (dry goods, grains, energy and other commodities) and will have responsibilities in the supply of Indirects services, as well as CAPEX. 
• The role provides exceptional service both in the distilleries and bottling halls whilst managing  collaborations with team members and key stakeholders, across the region. Equally the role focuses on continuous improvement of the existing packaging material quality and specifications, and it is responsible for projects and developments of the bottling halls and sites in Scotland, including in-house developments at Springburn and those related to Scottish brands bottled by third parties.
• The job holder has responsibility for ensuring efficient sourcing on a range of goods and services with an annual spend totalling approximately-65 million GBP  across a supply base of approximately 500+. This includes ensuring that our ways of working, formal policies and compliance are in place locally, aligning  at an International and Global level. Categories include directs, indirects and commodities.
• Packaging Development projects evolve during the years and within the year, but the team can be responsible for 100+ projects at a time and sourcing team will have to support this innovation activity
• The job holder leads a team of seven solid line team members for sourcing of all categories managed in the geography.
• There is a need to act as a company ambassador, working to build key relationships between the base of providers and Suntory Global Spirits. There is also a need at times to travel and to spend additional time working away from home.

Role Responsibilities

Develop and manage sourcing strategies for the goods and services supplied. When appropriate agree sourcing strategy with International Sourcing leadership team and key internal stakeholders. This will involve a close working relationship with internal customers and a detailed understanding of their procurement requirements. Proactively carry out the appropriate sourcing arrangements with existing and new vendors to deliver the goods and services in the most cost-efficient manner to Suntory Global Spirits in the UK & Ireland. Delivering cost savings is an essential feature of this role. Negotiate and implement robust agreements with providers, to ensure all contractual terms are clearly documented and signed off, as well as contractual risk to SGS are minimized. Finally, this will include the creation and process purchase orders where required in the ERPs (SAP, Navision and/or Ariba).

• Support to the International Sourcing function in terms of information and/or negotiations for International or Global Sourcing projects when required. Seek and promote wherever possible to consolidate and leverage purchases across SGS and the bigger Suntory group.
• Maintain a register of all contracts and suppliers to the operational sites in Scotland with appropriate details on annual spend, contract end dates, supplier details, etc.
• Actively work with all the operations staff on annual capital expenditure plan, agreeing which projects will have direct purchasing involvement. Carry out sourcing requirements for these projects to meet required time milestones, maximising savings against monies allocated irrespective to budget.
• Ensure, in particular, that SGS CSR, compliance and contract signature policies are followed.
• Develop and maintain a working understanding of the cost structures of goods and services ensuring that market analysis is done and an awareness of the marketplace and trends in input costs and commodities can be demonstrated.
• Look for new initiatives and continues improvements with either existing suppliers or new suppliers in close collaboration with the head of NPD. Close collaboration with head of NPD is a must for the role as in a mature organization potential savings will come from market intelligence and development of new materials and/or designs which should help to improve operational OEE.

• Lead review meetings with providers and implement subsequent action plans.
• Provide assistance to the finance function on invoice processing (particularly with any pricing queries) and the optimisation of the P2P cycle.
• Participate and liaise with the head of International Sourcing and finance function during budget process and in the subsequent monthly PPVs reports and savings projections.
• Provide spend and supplier reports from SAP in order that both spend, and supplier figures are controlled and optimized.
• Maintain accurate records and files associated with all sourcing requirements at all times, at the time key commodities pricing is monitored and recorded for the department.
• Submit monthly report to the head of International Sourcing detailing activity within the months and price variances obtained (written and/or telephone report).
• Liaise with GPPM, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to deliver packaging change projects according to business strategy.
• Interact, manage and eventually influence internal stakeholders specifically MKT, Operations, GPPM and Sourcing members. Support and ensure status of all projects is regularly provided to internal stakeholders, liaising directly with markets on packaging designs as needed, and check that project milestones are met.
• Pro-actively seek development of new materials, providing technical expertise, value engineering and cost reduction opportunities, as well as managing any packaging waste projects. This can include ensure packaging formats are investigated and rationalised to guarantee they are fit on purpose from a technical, legal and environmental viewpoint, at required quality and cost parameters
• Submit monthly report detailing activity within the month, advances, enablers and any identified blockers.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Within the UK & Ireland, all levels of the business from production staff to Senior Management; Key contacts will include such functions as NPD, Bottling Operations, Quality, Customer Service & Planning, Finance and Marketing, in Glasgow, distilleries and other UK locations.
• Internationally, there is a requirement to liaise with other SGS Sourcing and NPD colleagues within International.
• There will be a requirement, as well, to liaise with other functions within International or globally such as Legal, GPPM team on the S2S process, SGS Technical Centre in KY, etc.

External

• Providers and/or copackers at all company levels, ranging from CEO’s, MD’s, Sales Directors and Account Managers, in the UK and Internationally.
• Design agencies, Packaging waste bodies, technical and advisory/regulatory bodies, etc…
• Scotch Whisky Association on legal and design issues.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in Procurement departments within FMCG environment
• CIPS qualification, or similar, with minimum ten years’ experience of working as part of a small Procurement team in a fast moving and energetic business environment.
• A good knowledge of bottling hall facilities.
• A good understanding of packaging supplier manufacturing processes. Special focus in glass, closures, corrugated and labels, both core brands materials and prestige packaging materials.A good understanding of commodities impacting the spirits business including cereals and energy.
• Full driving license

Key Skills & Competenecies

• 10+ years within FMCG in Senior Procurement and Packaging roles
• Working knowledge of legal terms and conditions and constructing agreements
• Strong people leader with a focus on development and a proven team player
• Fundamental knowledge of the Supply Chain and the impact that Sourcing has on it
• Commercial negotiation skills with a numerate, logical and analytical approach
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence at a senior level.Enthusiastic and pro-active with a can-do attitude.
• Capable of planning and organizing a diverse workload, whilst managing changing priorities.
• Proven project management skills
• Committed to continual improvement in processes, performance and personal development.
• Technical knowledge of glass/closures/corrugated/labels manufacturing.SAP ERP experience is essential