Global Strategic Sourcing Manager - M/F/X

Job Description

Job Description:

Location: Aimargues (Occitanie, South of France - Montpellier/Nîmes) preferred; also open to Saint-Denis-de-l’Hôtel (Orléans area), Paris, or Ernolsheim (Strasbourg area, Grand Est).

Segment: Royal Canin

Type of contract: Permanent

Travel: Around 30%. If you are located outside Aimargues, you will be required to travel to the Aimargues site at least once a month.

The Global Strategic Sourcing Manager leads the Fibers Category at global level, managing a portfolio within a highly innovative and technically sensitive space. This category plays a critical role in product performance and safety, requiring strong partnership due to complex supply challenges (e.g., mycotoxin risk, raw material variability and availability constraints).

The role is accountable for defining and deploying global sourcing strategies that secure long-term supply, drive value creation, and continuously elevate quality standards across Royal Canin and Pet Nutrition. Acting as a partner, the Associate will work across both organizations to align stakeholders, influence key decisions and embed a unified category approach across markets.

Beyond category delivery, this position is a strategic leadership platform designed to build future-ready capabilities. It requires a strong commercial mindset, the ability to shape a clear global vision, and to translate strategy into concrete, scalable execution with regional sourcing teams and cross-functional partners across Quality & Food Safety, Formulation, Marketing and Supply Chain, always with a sharp focus on total cost of ownership and sustainable value.

What are we looking for?

• You bring at least 7 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, ideally within Direct Materials at global, regional or multi-market level.

• You bring experience in food, petcare or similar regulated industries sourcing raw materials originating from agriculture or animal production (plant- or animal-based).

• You know how to lead complex supplier ecosystems in technically sensitive categories (raw materials exposed to quality, variability or supply risks).

• You actively engage and influence senior stakeholders across functions and regions to align decisions and move strategy into action.

• You thrive in matrix and cross businesses environments and genuinely enjoy building strong, trust-based partnerships in diverse teams.

• You combine strong analytical and financial acumen with pragmatic decision-making in fast-changing market conditions.

• You are fluent in English and comfortable operating in an international business context on a daily basis.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Sourcing Strategy & Market Leadership

• Define and deploy global sourcing strategies for the Fibers portfolio in close collaboration with regional teams.

• Monitor and analyze market dynamics, supplier landscapes and category trends to identify risks and opportunities.

• Lead category reviews and provide clear insights to the business to strengthen decision-making and competitive advantage.

• Build allocation and contracting strategies to secure supply and optimize value.

Value Creation & Cost Competitiveness

• Build and manage the annual operating plan and volume forecasts for the category.

• Drive cost competitiveness through deep understanding of raw material cost drivers and global market factors.

• Identify opportunities to stabilize pricing through commodity risk management where relevant.

• Lead total cost optimization initiatives across the portfolio.

Supply Continuity & Risk Management

• Secure supply coverage across all sites, including future growth needs.

• Proactively identify supply risks and implement mitigation and contingency plans.

• Track and communicate market movements that could impact availability or pricing.

• Partner with Quality and Operations teams to reduce supplier and material risk.

Supplier Development & Innovation

• Identify, onboard and develop strategic suppliers able to meet performance, innovation and sustainability expectations.

• Lead supplier relationship management to strengthen collaboration and drive continuous improvement.

• Focus efforts on key suppliers to unlock innovation and long-term value.

• Implement performance tracking through clear KPIs.

Responsible & Sustainable Sourcing

• Partner with sustainability teams to ensure responsible sourcing practices across the supply base.

• Support the integration of new, more sustainable ingredients aligned with business growth ambitions.

• Contribute to protecting brand reputation through strong supplier governance.

Capability Building & Functional Leadership

• Support and coach regional sourcing teams to elevate category and commercial capabilities.

• Contribute to process simplification and harmonization to improve efficiency and governance globally.

What can you expect from Mars?

• At Mars, we believe in a relationship of mutual trust, dignity and respect between our company and Associates that is more meaningful than the standard employer/employee relationship.

• As Associates, we can expect to be respected, supported and valued as individuals, to be treated fairly and equitably.

• The opportunity to learn and develop, taking charge of your own career across Mars.

• As a Mars Associate, you’ll love the fact that learning never stops.

• An office where your dog will be welcome and will be accompanied by other Associate dogs

• You will be able to participate in volunteer programs and put The Five Principles in action today to help create the world we want tomorrow.

• An environment where you are empowered to be proactive and to take initiatives to make a difference.