PROCUREMENT LOCAL CATEGORY SPECIALIST

Requirements (must have):

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related field.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English (both written and spoken).
• Work Experience: 3+ years of professional experience, with at least 1+ year in Procurement or a related field.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse market trends, supplier performance, and internal business needs to support data-driven decision-making.
• Supplier & Contract Management: Experience in supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and ensuring compliance with legal and tax requirements.
• Procurement Expertise: Knowledge of sourcing strategies, category management, and purchasing processes, with an understanding of CSR and sustainability principles in procurement.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), with experience in procurement platforms and ERP systems.

Requirements (nice to have):

• Process Optimization & Governance: Familiarity with procurement policies, risk management, and automation tools to enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including legal, finance, and supply chain teams, to align procurement activities with business objectives.
• Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement: Proactive approach in identifying process improvements, driving efficiency, and contributing to value creation.

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Ursus Breweries, part of Asahi Europe and International, we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs.  We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.

Role Overview:

The Local Category Specialist supports the implementation of category strategies and leads local sourcing initiatives, ensuring cost efficiency, risk management, and sustainable procurement value. Acting as a trusted advisor, this role provides procurement expertise, optimizes supplier relationships, and enhances buying processes. Aligned with Asahi’s global philosophy, the role balances local execution with strategic procurement goals, fostering business continuity, sustainability, and corporate responsibility.

This is a fixed term role, until end of February 2026

 Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy Implementation – Support the local category manager in executing sourcing strategies aligned with business priorities, ensuring operational and transactional excellence.
• Market & Data Analysis – Conduct internal and external data analysis to assess the impact of market trends, competitors, and suppliers on business needs.
• Supplier Management – Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, actively manage their performance, and ensure quality controls.
• Contract Management – Collaborate with Legal, Tax, and other functions to ensure that supplier contracts are properly established and compliant.
• Sourcing Execution – Lead or support sourcing initiatives by gathering local business and legal requirements, market insights, and identifying potential suppliers.
• Procurement Operations – Manage selected local sub-categories and purchase requisitions, including specification clarification, supplier selection, engagement, and negotiation, while driving CSR and sustainability initiatives.
• Procurement Process Optimization – Serve as a subject matter expert for purchase request verification, specification alignment, and buying channels, ensuring efficiency through automation and spot buy reductions.
• Governance & Compliance – Ensure full adherence to procurement policies and processes, supporting risk management related to price volatility, supplier stability, and product/service availability.
• Performance Monitoring – Support the local category manager in tracking KPIs and targets, monitoring results, and initiating corrective actions when necessary.
• Stakeholder Collaboration – Manage relationships with the POC team to ensure business needs are met in line with service level agreements (SLAs).
• Continuous Improvement – Act as a change agent by identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency, drive value creation, and simplify procurement activities.

Asahi Europe & International (AEI) is part of Asahi Group Holdings (AGH), a global beer, spirits, soft drinks, and food group with leading positions in European and Asia-Pacific markets, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. As of November 2020, Asahi Europe & International Group runs 19 production facilities in 8 countries across Europe and is the custodian of some of the best beer brands in the world, including Asahi Super Dry, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch and Kozel. Within the Asahi Group, the remit of Asahi Europe and International is also to develop and manage all export markets globally, outside of Japan and Oceania. Covering 90 markets and with over 10,000 passionate colleagues on board, the business is well positioned to inspire people around the world to drink better.

Ursus is made with people, and we care about our people!