[Hiring] Associate Manager Category Procurement @The Hershey Company

Role Description

This role organizes and executes procurement work that often spans multiple teams or functional areas. The role independently manages defined workstreams or projects within an assigned area of responsibility, applying intermediate procurement knowledge to support category strategies and sourcing activities. It influences procurement outcomes through subject matter expertise, problem resolution, and coordination with internal stakeholders. The position increasingly engages and influences stakeholders while driving improvements that enhance operational efficiency and overall business performance.

What will you do?

• Manage Procurement Projects or Processes: Independently manages procurement projects or owned processes within a defined area. Ensures work is completed with accuracy, appropriate stakeholder engagement, and alignment to procurement policies. Identifies opportunities to enhance the efficiency or quality of the assigned process.
• Conduct Supplier and Market Analysis: Performs research, supplier assessments, and baseline market analysis to inform category strategies. Synthesizes data into actionable insights and communicates implications clearly. Identifies emerging risks, opportunities, or supplier performance issues requiring escalation.
• Support Contracting and Negotiation Activities: Prepares documents, gathers inputs, and coordinates contract reviews to support negotiation cycles. Ensures alignment to templates, policies, and compliance requirements. Identifies contractual inconsistencies and engages category owners to address them.
• Collaborate Across Functions to Resolve Issues: Works with functions such as Planning, Finance, Quality, and Engineering to resolve procurement-related challenges. Gathers information systematically to understand root causes and impacts. Recommends practical solutions leveraging best practices and past precedents.
• Deliver Continuous Improvement in Procurement Processes: Identifies inefficiencies, proposes enhancements, and participates in implementation of improved procurement processes. Applies subject matter knowledge to streamline workflows or clarify requirements. Ensures that changes are communicated effectively and adopted within assigned areas.
• Lead and execute Request for Proposal (RFP) and other competitive bidding events including conducting due diligence on suppliers, contacting suppliers to communicate requirements, evaluating bids received and summarizing findings with the Business Owner.
• Works with Project Managers and Engineering team to understand sourcing needs and inform sourcing project plan and support longer term strategy.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in procurement, with at least 2 years in an indirect procurement role, preferably experience with Capital procurement capacity.
• Experience in the consumer packaged goods industry is highly preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is typically required.

Requirements

• Understanding of the theory, practices and consequences of purchasing and acquiring products and services for the organization.
• Data Analysis: Identifying, evaluating, interpreting and organizing data for business decisions.
• Supplier Management: Managing vendors and suppliers who provide products and services to the company.
• Compliance Management: Supervision regarding the organization's conformity to various standards, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Work Order Management: Administration of business processes related to orders for goods or services.

Benefits

• Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health.
• Financial Security: Competitive pay, annual incentive opportunities, and a 401(k) with company match.
• Time Off & Flexibility: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible ways of working where applicable.
• Growth & Development: Career development programs, learning opportunities, and internal mobility.
• Benefits may vary based on role, location, and eligibility.