Sourcing Manager

The Sourcing Manager will own end‑to‑end sourcing and supplier management for hygiene-grade nonwovens used in disposable absorbent products (e.g., baby diapers, feminine care, adult incontinence, wipes). You will develop and execute category strategies across topsheet, ADL (acquisition/distribution layer), backsheet (laminates/films), core wrap, leg cuffs/ear tabs, and wipe substrates-delivering cost, quality, service, sustainability, and innovation targets while ensuring supply continuity in a dynamic, global market.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Cost Leadership

• Build 3-5 year sourcing strategies for hygiene-specific nonwoven categories (spunbond, spunmelt, meltblown, spunlace, air‑laid, carded) aligned to business growth and margin goals.
• Establish multi‑sourcing, regional dual‑sourcing, and volume allocation frameworks; drive competitive tenders, should‑cost models, and index‑linked pricing (polypropylene, polyethylene, pulp, energy).
• Lead annual negotiations for pricing, payment terms, rebates, and logistics agreements; implement cost‑reduction programs (basis‑weight optimization, grade harmonization, spec rationalization).

Supplier & Risk Management

• Develop a robust global supplier base (North America, LATAM, EMEA, APAC) with balanced capacity and contingency plans; maintain risk maps (financial, geopolitical, force majeure, single‑point failures).
• Own SRM (Supplier Relationship Management): QBRs, executive summits, performance scorecards (OTIF, COQ, responsiveness), and corrective action plans.

Quality, Compliance & Sustainability

• Partner with Quality to approve hygiene-grade materials per internal test methods and regulatory standards; manage PPAP/FAI for new materials and line transfers.
• Ensure suppliers meet certifications and audits (e.g., ISO 9001/14001, FSC/PEFC for tissue/wipe fibers where applicable, social compliance).
• Drive sustainability goals-recycled content, bio-based polymers, reduced basis weights, design‑for‑recyclability, carbon footprint reduction, and waste minimization-embedding KPIs in contracts.

Innovation & NPD Enablement

• Collaborate with R&D and Product Development to source novel materials (ultra‑soft topsheets, low‑lint wipe substrates, barrier films with improved breathability, discreet/quiet backsheets).
• Manage pilot runs, technical trials, and scale‑up; negotiate access to supplier technical support, lab resources, and priority scheduling on Reicofil lines or equivalent.

Planning, Logistics & Data Intelligence

• Work with Supply Planning to align forecasts, MOQ/EOQ, lead times, safety stocks, and VMI/consignment; optimize inbound logistics (freight mode, INCOTERMS, port strategies).
• Maintain market intelligence dashboards (polymer index tracking, capacity announcements, M&A, tariff/anti‑dumping actions); provide monthly outlooks and mitigation recommendations.

Contracting & Governance

• Draft and manage MSAs, SLAs, technical annexes/specs, confidentiality/IP clauses, change‑control, and business continuity requirements.
• Ensure adherence to corporate ethics, DEI supplier programs, and risk/governance policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field; MBA or CPSM/APICS preferred.
• 5-8+ years in strategic sourcing/procurement within the hygiene manufacturing space.
• Strong knowledge of hygiene product components, performance attributes (softness, strike‑through, rewet, breathability, tensile/elongation, linting), and relevant test methods.
• Demonstrated success in global negotiations, cost modeling, and supplier development; proficiency with ERP (SAP/Oracle), e‑sourcing tools, and analytics (Power BI/Excel).
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks and certifications applicable to hygiene substrates.