Procurement Manager Packaging (Oceania)

We are Lactalis

We are owned by the Lactalis Group the worlds largest producer of dairy goods. With a range of more than 2000 products Lactalis plays a daily role in the health and well-being of consumers around the world through nutritious dairy milk cheese yoghurt and other soft foods and beverages.

Across Oceania we bring together the strength of Lactalis Australia and Lactalis Mainland Dairy (Australia & New Zealand) with pillar brands such as Pauls Oak Ice Break Tamar Valley Dairy Vaalia Président Galbani Anchor Mainland and Kapiti. Together we operate 22 manufacturing sites across Australia and New Zealand supported by thousands of passionate employees and the farming communities we partner with. We are humble proud and resilient our brands people and know-how define who we are.

About this Opportunity

This is a rare high-impact leadership role at the heart of one of the most significant transformations in our region. Reporting to the Procurement Director (Oceania) and sitting on the Procurement Leadership Team you will own the packaging portfolio end-to-end across our combined Australia and New Zealand footprint 22 factories a diverse brand portfolio and a supply base spanning local and global partners.

Following the integration of Lactalis Australia and Lactalis Mainland Dairy we are building a single unified Oceania procurement function. As Regional Procurement Manager Packaging you will be central to bringing the two legacy packaging teams together into one high-performing organisation: harmonising ways of working consolidating supplier relationships across both businesses and executing the synergy agenda that this combination unlocks. You will not only design the go-forward packaging strategy you will lead it and lead your team through the change by example.

The role carries full accountability for the financial performance of the packaging categories and enjoys high visibility at country regional and global executive level. It is ideally suited to an ambitious commercially sharp leader who thrives in a fast-paced complex environment and wants their work to be seen at the very top of the organisation.

What You Will Own

Team leadership & talent development. Lead coach and develop a team of 4 direct reports building capability and a strong talent pipeline as you set a high bar and lead by example through a period of integration and growth.

Portfolio & spend. Full accountability for the strategic and financial performance of the packaging categories across Oceania including rigid plastics flexibles corrugate labels caps & closures and resin from budget and PPV delivery through to risk and continuity of supply.

Packaging strategy. Set and execute the category strategy for packaging across the region aligned to the global Lactalis packaging agenda sustainability commitments and the innovation pipeline of our brands.

Integration & synergy. Merge two previously separate packaging teams into one Oceania function; rationalise and re-tender the combined supply base and identify and deliver the synergy savings created by the combination.

Supplier & stakeholder management. Own strategic and critical supplier relationships and partner with Industrial / Manufacturing R&D Quality Marketing Finance and Lactalis Regional & Global procurement to secure the best total-value outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver the financial performance across the packaging categories owning budget PPV savings delivery and total cost of ownership.
• Lead strategic sourcing and negotiation securing the best competitive sustainable and resilient arrangements across a multi-site multi-country network.
• Implement category management consistently across 22 manufacturing sites in Australia and New Zealand.
• Partner with suppliers to drive innovation service and cost improvement and to underpin the packaging sustainability roadmap.
• Ensure robust contracts and service-level agreements to mitigate supply service and pricing risk and to protect continuity across both legacy businesses.
• Monitor audit and report supplier and category performance to country regional and global stakeholders.
• Represent packaging on the Procurement Leadership Team aligning the Oceania approach with the global Lactalis procurement strategy and standards.
• Drive the implementation of strategic projects taking a hands-on operational role in delivering key initiatives across the packaging category not just setting direction.
• Develop team capability and talent coaching direct reports and building a strong succession pipeline through the integration and beyond.

About You

You are an accomplished end-to-end procurement leader with the presence and credibility to operate at executive level. You bring:

• A proven track record of delivering results in a complex multi-site multi-country environment.
• Strong experience managing packaging or comparable direct/indirect categories with genuine commercial depth.
• Confidence engaging global stakeholders and thriving in a fast-paced ambiguous fast-changing environment.
• A strategic mindset paired with the analytical rigour to turn data into decisions a highly analytical evidence-led operator.
• Exceptional negotiation skills and the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.
• Authentic people leadership you set direction raise standards and lead by example especially through change and integration.

Skills & Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Procurement Supply Chain Engineering or Business (MCIPS highly regarded).
• At least 8 years experience in a Procurement / Supply Chain function with time spent leading teams.
• Experience across complex multi-site manufacturing operations; FMCG food or packaging experience highly regarded.
• Superior communication influencing and interpersonal skills with the drive to embed and sustain process.
• Strong planning organisational and decision-making capability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; SAP experience is essential and Spend analytics tools an advantage.

Why Join Us

This is a role with reach. You will shape a category that matters to every product we make lead a team through a defining moment for the business and do work that is seen and valued at the highest levels of a global company. We provide a safe flexible and diverse workplace where collaboration is genuine and your development is a priority. With your knowledge and experience we encourage you to make a difference.

If you have the ambition drive and capability to succeed in this role and want to join an impressive global business please submit your application including a current resume by selecting Apply and following the prompts.