Category Manager

Job Summary Category Manager Are you ready to take your skills to the next level and make a real impact?IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. We are looking for a high-energy, agile procurement professional to join our EAME team as a Regional Category Manager for direct materials. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, adapts quickly to change, and is passionate about driving strategic execution. You will work cross-functionally with Business Units, Product Lines, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, R&D, and Manufacturing Technology to ensure supply continuity and performance while executing procurement strategies that support business growth and innovation. The role is based in Asturias, Spain (hybrid role). Be part of an agile team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration. Where You'll Make a Difference Develop and implement regional category strategies that ensure supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and alignment with global procurement goals. Manage supplier performance for materials sourced within EAME, ensuring quality, service, and innovation expectations are met. Collaborate with global category teams to align on strategy and ensure efficient, coordinated execution across regions. Analyze spend and market intelligence to identify sourcing opportunities, mitigate risks, and support decision-making. Identify and qualify new suppliers to diversify the supply base and enhance resilience. Support innovation and operational efficiency by working with technical teams to evaluate and adopt alternative materials and suppliers. Communicate proactively with stakeholders to ensure transparency, alignment, and advocacy for regional priorities. What Makes You the Right Fit 7–10 years of experience in procurement of direct materials, with a strong focus on strategy execution and supplier performance. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field. Strong analytical skills and the ability to work confidently with data to support decision-making and performance tracking. Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adopt new tools, systems, and processes in a dynamic environment. Proven agility in navigating complex, cross-functional settings and driving change across diverse stakeholder groups. How Would You Stand Out? Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to clearly articulate procurement strategies and priorities. Experience working in international or regional procurement roles is a plus. Why Choose Us? Home office opportunity (3 days/week) Professional onboarding process Multinational and supporting environment Training opportunities Learning and development programs from day one We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability. Visit to learn more