Category Manager, Contract Manufacturing

Req ID: 6718 

Department: Operations 

Status: Reg F-T Exempt, Exempt  

Location: Napa, California (US-CA)  

Workplace Location:  On-Site

Job Summary:

Manage procurement and third-party production activities for assigned set of product categories including wine, spirits, and low/nonalcoholic beverages. Provide influence of spend value and cost savings for the company and cross-functional partners. Drive adoption, communication, and maintenance of TFE production, procurement, quality, and food safety policies. This position is a key driver in ensuring categories of spend are managed for assurance of supply, cost optimization, governance and risk mitigation, while delivering the items or services on-time with a high degree of quality.  

Essential Functions:

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

• Lead product realization efforts individually and in cross-functional teams in projects, category strategies, and supplier contract process/lifecycle including RFP, negotiation, decision support tools, contracting, stakeholder and legal review, S.O.W.’s, and S.L.A.’s
• Areas of influence of spend may include:

• Co-packers and 3PL’s
• Indirect Services: Winemaking and Food Science support, freight, and ingredient storage
• Purchased Finished Goods suppliers and supply chain
• Beverage ingredients bulk purchasing, bulk sale and inventory management

• Create and measure monthly/yearly goals and objectives including cost savings, influence of spend, and supplier performance
• Create and execute procurement strategies based on company goals and objectives:

• Develop and Influence stakeholders to adopt category strategies
• Responsible for managing KPI’s for each category (Food Safety, Quality, Productivity, Cost, Delivery, etc.)

• Educate co-packers and 3PL’s in TFE Quality and Category Management Standards

• Participate in applicable Contract Manufacturing and beverage ingredient Master Supply and Master Service Agreements.  Negotiate contracts and ensure all commercial terms and legal aspects meet the required needs of TFE
• Analyze data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends
• Support the Life Cycle management of TFE’s product portfolio
• Manage supplier performance to ensure TFE’s quality, service and cost requirements
• Communicate TFE’s business needs pertaining to capacity requirements, supply availability and inventory management
• Provide supplier and stakeholder/cross-functional partner leadership on the following keys to procurement success:

• TFE Procurement Policy
• Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
• Safe Quality Foods certifications including Ethical Sourcing

Base Competencies:

• Results Orientation:
  • Manage frequently changing deadlines and priorities
  • Be accountable for results
  • Deliver S&OP value on all activities
• Contract and negotiation expertise
• Category strategy acumen:
  • Solid knowledge of category management principles (Category Strategy Development, SWOT, Negotiation Skills)
• Project management experience and proven results
• Leadership and communication skills:
  • Department, cross-functional, and with contract manufacturers and suppliers
• Manufacturing & Winery certification processes
• Advanced computer skills in Word, Excel, MRP, Visio, and MS Project
• SAP or equivalent expertise:
  • Including data mining and analysis driving direction and results
• Lean manufacturing experience and approach

 Qualifications:

• Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain/Procurement, Business, Engineering or Management required.  MBA preferred or
• Experience: 5-7 years of experience in manufacturing, procurement or supply chain leadership positions preferred.
• CPSM, CSCP, APICS or Lean certifications a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to create  and maintain cross-functional partnerships on a daily basis
• Ability to present solutions clearly and concisely
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, observational skills, documentation skills, and follow-through
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks concurrently in a fast paced environment
• Enterprise System experience required - (SAP preferred)
• Computer Skills:  MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Able to create decision making tools utilizing Pivot tables or Power Bi.
• Attention to details and deadlines with a strong ability to follow through with minimal direction
• Experience/knowledge of wine, wine production, and wine industry a plus

Working Conditions:

• Office and beverage manufacturing site environment
• Extensive computer work
• May be required to work at any of  TFE's locations
• Occasional travel to visit suppliers
• Frequent deadline pressures and long work hours
• Numerous projects in progress at any given time
• Comply with company safety regulations

Salary Range: $95,000.00 -  $160,000.00  

The starting pay will be based on several factors, including but not limited to experience, training, education, and geographic location. TFE offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, PTO, wellness programs and fertility and family building benefits.   We also provide a 401(k) plan where TFE may make a discretionary profit-sharing contribution.

Trinchero Family Estates provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Trinchero Family Estates complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.