As the Lead Procurement Specialist, Direct Procurement, you will be responsible for the strategic management of specific categories for Direct (Food) Products. You will develop and initiate active management for designated categories. You will actively identify and develop plans to ensure supply and price competitiveness. Negotiating cost savings and implementing productivity ideas that appropriately contribute to the functional goals of the Direct Procurement Team will be ongoing key objectives.Main responsibilitiesCategory ManagementDevelop category strategies and business continuity plans for assigned categoriesBuild and maintain category intelligence through extensive category research and relationship building with supply partners and key individuals in the supply communityManage and develop supplier portfolio in accordance with aligned strategies, considering performance, risk and the need to maintain a competitive environmentFormulate cost effective supply-based strategiesDrive value through productivity, supplier resources, untapped synergies and/or process improvements across all managed categories which contribute to the achievement of annual Procurement Department and Corporate savings goalsContinual tracking and management of all managed goods, cost drivers and the relevant categoriesEstablish relationships with suppliers who have the capabilities and capacities that meet Domino’s specs, superior service, and competitive pricesDevelop contacts with each supplier in all relevant areas (i.e. sales & technical) for special requests/assistance when neededDevelop key relationships with internal stakeholders (both within and external to SCS) driving key category strategies and program executionMake necessary changes in the supplier bases when business cases dictateSupport Marketing innovation projects with category intelligence and the supply relationship to execute new products or changes to existing menu itemsProject management of Procurement driven projects and cross functional projects with enhanced Procurement involvementDevelop mastery of assigned categories and the associated global market dynamicsProvide forward-looking risk sensitivity analysis for assigned categoriesLead and direct the risk management strategy for assigned categories to manage market fluctuations and mitigate volatility.Contribute to internal/external reporting, presentation, and recommendation requirements