Diageo · 18 hours ago
Global Procurement Category Specialist, Flavors, Sugar, Enzymes
Plainfield, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior LevelDiageo is the world’s leading premium drinks company, known for its extensive portfolio of brands. The Global Procurement Category Specialist will deliver procurement outcomes by applying strategic procurement excellence, leading sourcing activities, and developing expertise in specific spend categories while fostering collaboration across the procurement community.
Consumer GoodsFood and BeverageManufacturingWine And Spirits
Responsibilities
Deliver Procurement outcomes for Diageo within one or more categories of spend, through effective business partnering and collaboration across Procurement CoEs
Applying strategic procurement excellence through creation of or support in creation of category strategies built on Diageo’s best methods, standards, and tools to deliver procurement value
Leading or supporting Sourcing activities for specific categories of spend procured Globally
Developing subject-matter expertise for specific spend categories, supporting collection and leverage of supply market expertise and clear direction to Analysts for development and application of supply market data and information to strategy development and sourcing
The Global Category Specialist is accountable for driving and active participation in a global community of procurement professionals in one or more spend categories, including joining regular meetings, driving alignment around strategy, supporting development of own and others’ capabilities & expertise and sharing of best practices
Build, manage and grow expertise in one or more spend categories, including understanding of supply markets, suppliers, partners and how to negotiate supply and demand
Become a subject-matter expert and share with others in a global community of category professionals
Apply expertise and standards to identify and win new value for Diageo
Lead development of best-in-class market intelligence and knowledge, category strategies and sourcing events by applying Diageo standards for category excellence
Contribute to improvement of existing and development of new tools & techniques
Develop and grow relationships with stakeholders, partners, and suppliers for deeper insights into needs and capabilities; articulate requirements and deliver insights for greater value from stakeholder collaboration
For one or more spend categories, support development and evolution of category strategies by (1) capturing, articulating, and confirming business requirements; (2) researching and analysing market dynamics; and (3) assessing opportunities and proposing solutions
Generate insights and opportunities from internal and external benchmarking, develop cost models to consider scenarios with suppliers and partners and build & evolve analytics capabilities that allow regular review and improvement of strategies
Implement sourcing activities for Global and above-market leverage spend categories
Engage community members as required, apply Diageo Procurement protocol standard
For relevant sourcing projects, ensure effective planning, preparation, and application of the Negotiation Toolkit
Negotiate and close contracts
Enter contracts into the system
Manage contracts and contract compliance (Diageo customer compliance and Supplier compliance) through contract lifecycles
As part of category strategy execution, identify, record and follow-up risk mitigations in line with category strategies and procedure
Identify corporate, supply, supplier and other risks associated with sourcing activities, put mitigations in place and implement them, engaging all relevant stakeholders, partners, and suppliers to ensure the mitigations are successful
Apply Diageo protocol standard, ensuring the most recent and relevant approaches are always applied; use formal governance and peer review to ensure the quality and efficacy of risk management; contribute to development of standards
Establish standards, ways of working and trust relationships with Global suppliers in relevant categories; ensure Diageo protocols are applied and that there is a good foundation for strong performance, risk mitigation and rapid resolution of issues
Support Market COE’s with driving consistency across suppliers and markets, improving the value of data generated
In line with Procurement strategic supplier strategies, collaborate with suppliers to unlock breakthrough opportunities for the business; stimulate supplier capabilities to generate ideas for the future
Qualification
Required
Significant experience in Procurement with subject-matter expertise in supply markets and spend categories relevant to the role
Demonstrated performance in projects and in cross-market teams, experience developing and implementing category and procurement strategies, managing and negotiating with suppliers
Strong analytical and financial awareness including a strong understanding of AOP requirements and financial goals & value drivers relevant to the categories in scope
Track record of generating insights to influence decision-making; good commercial foresight
Good systems knowledge (esp. SAP, M/S Office, E-collaborate or similar systems & tools)
Strong verbal, written and presentation skills; strong interpersonal skills
Track record of consistent performance and delivery
Benefits
Competitive base salary and bonus scheme
Contemporary work life balance policies and wellbeing activities
Contributary pension scheme
Comprehensive health insurance for you and your family
Share options
Company
Diageo
Diageo is a premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer, and wine.
Founded in 1886
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$7.04B2025-10-01Post Ipo Debt· $1.18B
2025-04-11Post Ipo Debt· $1.5B
2024-08-27Post Ipo Debt· $2.12B
Leadership Team
Nik Jhangiani
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Benjamin Lickfett
Global VP Breakthrough Innovation - Digital & Ventures
Recent News
2026-01-23
2026-01-23
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