Company

Biscuits Delacre is a well-known international FMCG/agri-food company. They are part of an international group (Fine Biscuits Company Group or FBC Group) together with the Danish company Kelsen and an innovation lab called The Fine Lab. They are related to the Ferrero Group. They are proud of their Delacre-Délichoc branded chocolate biscuits and Royal Dansk-Kjeldsens branded butter biscuits. Their products are distributed in Belgium, France and many foreign countries. Delacre and FBC headquarters are located in Brussels (Watermael-Boitsfort).

Role purpose

Scope: Categories Ingredients (flour, chocolate, sugar,…), Packaging (tins, trays, carton,…). 2 factories (Lambermont, Nieppe) manufacturing Delacre & Delichoc biscuits and co-manufacturing Kinder biscuits.

Guarantee purchase for a selected series of direct categories (ingredients / packagings) to ensure Delacre’s operational needs are met – in accordance with company procurement guidelines –, as well as continuity of supply
Implement strategic procurement initiatives with a perspective of total cost of ownership and added value
Drive operational procurement excellence within the execution of the procurement category strategies, in-sync with the Fine Biscuits Company (FBC) and “Group” sourcing strategies and operative models
The Strategic Buyer focuses on reducing purchasing cost, increasing procurement agility, improving supplier quality & delivery performance, developing supplier relationship management, reducing supply risk, enabling innovation and strengthening the CSR-agenda.
He / She works in close collaboration with Delacre planning, technical, npd manufacturing, logistics teams as well as with the FBC Category Managers. He / She relates with Delacre Operations Managers, Supply Planning Managers, Controllers, Technical Managers, NPD Managers… to ensure strategic procurement projects are implemented in alignment with business objectives.
The Strategic Buyer contributes to the strategic sourcing, ensures budget management and negotiation for selected direct categories. He/She ensures contract management, purchasing management and supplier management more widely for direct categories within Delacre.

Key responsibilities

The Strategic Buyer contributes to the strategic sourcing activities:
- Delivering purchasing strategy for selected Local direct categories
- Supporting FBC Category managers in execution of FBC and “Group” direct categories
Ensures Delacre implementation of procurement activities relating to:
- Wider ‘Group’ and FBC procurement initiatives or policies
- New product developments & new supplier introductions
- Cost optimization and design-to-value initiatives (fuel-for-growth)
Accountable for supplier management acting as 1st point of escalation to supplier beyond internal stakeholder to:
- Ensure continuity of supply in case of critical delivery issues
- Drive issue resolution in case of invoice issues
- Deliver procurement leverage to compliant complaints handling
Likewise accountable to develop supplier relationship management driving in accordance with the company guidelines and in relation with the stakeholders:
- Supplier KPI monitoring (service levels, quality…)
- Supplier qualification processes
- Supplier evaluation
Responsible to facilitate compliant, cost effective and efficient Purchase-to-Pay process within Delacre driving rigorously contract and purchasing management activities:
- Runs, and supports FBC Category Managers with, RFI – RFP – RFQ processes as appropriate
- Ensuring competition, conducts negotiation with suppliers accordingly
- Engages timely for Local categories – as well as embeds for FBC or ‘Group’ categories – contracts and manages accurately pricing
- As appropriate, oversees and monitors contract management and related PO activities, in relation with Procurement Support
Develops in-sync with FBC and “Group Procurement” insights in categories Ingredients (flour, chocolate, oils&fats, dairy…) and Packaging (tins, trays, folding boxes, cartons…), also coordinating response to information requests from wider organization
Reports to Delacre Head of Procurement
Key relationship with Fine Biscuits Company Procurement Category Managers and Procurement Support Officers
Regular contact with other FBC entities and Group Procurement
Permanent contact with external suppliers
Acts as business partner for internal stakeholder (Factories, Supply Chain, Quality, Legal)
By the nature of this function, the Strategic Buyer will be in contact with quasi all departments in the company: Operations (Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain), Finance, Marketing (R&D / NPD)…

Profile

Master degree in Procurement, Supply Chain or Business Administration
Proven track record in purchasing (5-7 years) in an FMCG food packed goods environment
Solid experience in procurement negotiation, project management, sourcing and cost analysis processes
Knowledgeable about external market place and supplier capabilities within FMCG food packed goods environment (commodities, ingredients…)
Procurement process development and implementation skills
Good ability to deal with Supply Chain (and other) complexity
Project Management skills and experience
Knowledgeable about food ingredients & packaging purchasing
Knowledgeable about supplier relationship management processes
Experienced in stakeholder management
Strong communication skills
IS: Knowledge of ERP Procure-to-Pay and Sourcing processes and systems
Languages fluent spoken & written: English, French, Dutch
Strong communicator with the necessary commercial and negotiation skills
Strong collaborative mindset and oriented to take ownership
Pro-active and challenging interactor with stakeholders
Analytical, conceptual, pragmatic and result oriented
Able to work with autonomy within general policies, however as a strong team player
International mindset, able to be part of cross-functional teams
Resilient, perseverant and able to deal with apparently conflicting objectives
Ready to work hands-on