Procurement COE Specialist

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Westchester, IL

Workplace type: Hybrid

In this role, you will drive standardization, digital transformation, and performance optimization across procurement by leading strategic initiatives, implementing best practices, and aligning regional operations with global strategies. Through cross-functional collaboration, I enhance efficiency, mitigate risk, and elevate procurement capabilities by leveraging advanced technologies, managing supplier risk, and fostering continuous improvement.
 

As a Procurement Center of Excellence (COE) Lead, US/Canada, you are responsible for standardizing and optimizing procurement processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks. You lead spend analysis, performance tracking, and reporting, ensuring data is visualized and communicated effectively across the organization. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you drive continuous improvement and implement best practices.

You also manage supplier risk assessments and the regional Business Continuity Process (BCP). A key focus is on advancing technology adoption—automation, AI, and virtual agents—by assessing current capabilities and rolling out global strategies locally. In addition to regional responsibilities, you serve as a global project manager, supporting strategic initiatives and acting as an internal consultant across functions. You also lead training and development for the regional Procurement team.

What you will do: 

• Regional Leadership & Coordination: Serve as the main point of contact for IGS P2P, manage local policies including SRM, and ensure regional needs are represented at the global CoE level.
• Project & Process Management: Lead and support local and regional projects, including improvements and compliance with legislation, while aligning with global initiatives.
• Global CoE Collaboration: Drive global projects and improvements, ensuring regional adherence to standard tools and processes, and act as SME for assigned initiatives.
• Policy & Process Standardization: Maintain alignment between regional and global procurement policies, templates, and procedures; regularly update and train stakeholders.
• Technology Strategy & Implementation: Own and manage procurement technology strategy, including SAP optimization, AI/automation integration, and tool rollout across the region.
• Performance & Audit Management: Monitor procurement performance metrics, support audits, and implement corrective actions for non-conformities in collaboration with finance and global teams.
• Sustainability & Compliance: Align with sustainability teams on ESG strategies and support related projects, ensuring compliance with standards like SEDEX and SMETA.

What you will bring: 

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s or master’s in engineering, supply chain, business, or related field—or extensive practical procurement experience; minimum 5 years in direct or indirect procurement or sourcing.
• Skills & Certifications: Strong project management and process improvement background; certifications in procurement and project management are a plus; COE or similar experience preferred.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in MS Office (Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint), SAP MM, and e-sourcing tools including spend analytics, project, and contract management.
• Core Competencies: Excellent analytical and financial acumen, strong time management, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability under pressure.
• Communication & Mobility: Fluent in English (Spanish is a plus), strong communication skills, and willingness to travel (up to 40% domestic, 10% international).

Who you are: 

• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills with a goal-oriented mindset and resilience under pressure.
• Proficient in e-sourcing tools, including spend analytics, project management, and contract management systems.
• Effective communicator with solid oral and written communication skills; fluent in English, with Spanish as a plus.
• Highly organized and efficient, demonstrating strong time management and adaptability to shifting priorities.
• Experienced in project and business process management, showing initiative and flexibility in dynamic environments.

Why Join Ingredion? 

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
• Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally
• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Relocation Available:

Pay Range:

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.