Strategic Sourcing Manager - Raw Materials

About this Position

The Category Lead Raw Materials LATAM is responsible for leading procurement activities across multiple raw material categories for Henkel Consumer Brands in Latin America, ensuring alignment with regional and global category strategies. The role drives value creation through strategic sourcing, supplier portfolio management, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and transformation initiatives across the end-to-end supply chain.

This position plays a key role in initiatives such as portfolio simplification, supplier scouting in LATAM, make-or-buy decisions, and vertical integration projects. It requires strong commercial acumen, analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and geographies. The role includes managerial oversight of one intern and indirect leadership of cross-functional workstreams.

What you´ll do

 Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned raw material categories in alignment with regional and global procurement objectives.
• Lead supplier selection, tendering, negotiation, and contracting processes.
• Identify and implement opportunities for portfolio simplification and supplier optimization.

Cost & Value Optimization

• Drive cost savings and value creation through Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) methodologies.
• Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and supply-demand dynamics to support strategic decisions.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to procurement categories.

Supplier Management & Partnership Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers across LATAM and globally.
• Evaluate supplier performance, capabilities, and innovation potential.
• Lead supplier scouting initiatives to identify new sources of supply and enhance competitiveness.

Risk Management & Business Continuity

• Identify and mitigate supply, commercial, and operational risks.
• Develop contingency plans and ensure business continuity for critical raw materials.
• Collaborate with Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D teams on risk assessment and resolution.

Transformation & Strategic Projects

• Lead procurement workstreams for transformation initiatives such as:
• Make-or-buy analyses
• Vertical integration assessments
• Footprint and sourcing network design
• Procurement process improvements
• Contribute to regional and global procurement governance and best-practice sharing.

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Partner with cross-functional teams including Supply Chain, Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, and Marketing.
• Influence decision-making through data-driven recommendations and strong business cases.
• Provide guidance and coaching to one intern and coordinate activities across indirect project teams.