The Category Lead Raw Materials LATAM is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across multiple raw material categories for Henkel Consumer Brands in Latin America, ensuring alignment with regional and global category objectives. The role drives procurement performance through strategic sourcing, supplier portfolio management, negotiations, risk mitigation, and end-to-end cost optimization in close collaboration with Supply Chain and key stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include delivering procurement financial KPIs, leading transformation initiatives such as portfolio simplification, supplier scouting, make-or-buy and vertical integration projects, ensuring proper documentation and traceability, and proactively managing supplier relationships and agreements. The position generates sustainable value through strong market, industry, and supply base knowledge, while promoting best practices, cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and effective governance to support long-term business growth.
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
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Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with regional and global category objectives.
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Lead supplier selection, competitive bidding, and negotiation processes.
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Analyze market trends, industry developments, and supply base dynamics to identify value opportunities.
Cost Optimization & Procurement Performance
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Deliver procurement financial KPIs, savings, and productivity targets.
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Drive end-to-end cost optimization initiatives across raw material categories.
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Support bottom-line and top-line business objectives through value creation initiatives.
Supplier Portfolio & Relationship Management
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Manage supplier relationships and performance across the LATAM portfolio.
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Proactively steer supplier agreements, contracts, and commercial conditions.
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Support supplier development, innovation, and sustainability initiatives.
Risk Management & Business Continuity
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Identify and mitigate supply, commercial, and operational risks.
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Lead crisis management actions and ensure supply resilience and continuity.
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Maintain appropriate documentation, compliance, and traceability standards.
Transformation & Continuous Improvement
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Lead transformation projects including portfolio simplification, supplier scouting, make-or-buy, and vertical integration initiatives.
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Promote best practices, process improvements, and effective procurement governance.
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Drive collaboration and knowledge sharing across regional and global teams.
Stakeholder Management
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Partner closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, and other key stakeholders.
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Provide data-driven recommendations to support business decisions.
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Build strong cross-functional relationships in a matrix environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
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4–6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or category management, preferably in an internationalmatrix organization.
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Strong business and procurement acumen, negotiation, analytical and logical thinking, stakeholder management, project management, and strategic sourcing skills.
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Experience in cost, contract, and data management, digital tools, and risk management, including crisis management and supply resilience.
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Proficiency in SAP and related procurement/data analysis tools.
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Fluent in English and Spanish; Portuguese is a plus.
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Collaborative mindset with a focus on learning, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.
- Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
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Diverse national and international growth opportunities
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Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
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Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
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Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
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Flexible Benefits
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Meal vouchers
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Savings fund
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Friday early finish
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different genders, origins, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, and generations.
