Category Manager – Innovation

Diageo

. Create and deliver the Sourcing Innovation strategy for North America .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeUnited StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $102,375 - $170,625 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Procurement Innovation, Supplier Relationship Management, and Strategic Sourcing within the packaging and liquid categories. Proficient in building stakeholder alliances and utilizing business intelligence tools to drive data-informed decision-making.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Procurement Innovation StrategySupplier Relationship ManagementPackaging and Liquid CategoriesBusiness Intelligence ToolsStakeholder Influence

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

ProcurementProject ManagementCost ModelingSupplier DevelopmentRisk AssessmentNew Product DevelopmentSourcing StrategiesSupplier Performance ManagementChange LeadershipContinuous Improvement

Soft Skills

Strategic ThinkingNegotiation SkillsCommunication SkillsCritical ThinkingTeam Player

Tools & Technologies

SAPPower BITableauMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint

Certifications & Qualifications

CIPSMBA

Industry Keywords

Supply ChainInnovationSourcingSupplier CapabilityCommercializationSource-to-Pay ProcessesEmerging TechnologiesSustainability SolutionsValue OpportunitiesCOGS-setting

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Tableau

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Create and deliver the Sourcing Innovation strategy for North America
Link the innovation pipeline to sourcing plans, supplier capability roadmaps and value agendas
Own the strategic graphics supplier relationship across the North America portfolio
Partner with Brand, Innovation and R&D leadership in the stage-gate process
Translate innovation priorities into packaging and liquid category sourcing strategies
Establish Procurement Innovation best practices and operating models
Advise senior stakeholders using data, scenarios and storytelling
Build and manage an innovation pipeline from external partners
Identify suppliers, technologies and solutions for defined business challenges
Assess supplier and market landscapes, emerging technologies, materials and sustainability solutions
Lead supplier capability gap assessments and supplier development decisions
Source new-to-world suppliers and technologies and negotiate critical partnerships
Design and run supplier-enabled innovation events
Guide COGS-setting, cost-modeling principles and early assumption challenges
Identify savings and value opportunities through sourcing and design-to-value collaboration
Anticipate supply risk and run scenario planning for innovation launches
Own supplier KPI frameworks, including OTIF delivery and compliance
Set Supplier Performance Management and Supplier Lifecycle Development standards
Define and champion Procure-to-Pay compliance requirements
Lead process improvements and scalable best practices across the innovation value chain
Facilitate cross-functional forums and escalate conflicting priorities to senior leaders

Requirements

What you’ll need

University degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering or equivalent
Purchasing, project management and/or business qualification desirable (CIPS/MBA)
6–8 years of experience in procurement, innovation, supply chain and/or R&D
Proven experience in packaging and/or liquid categories
Exposure to new product development or commercialization
Track record of building stakeholder alliances and influencing senior leaders across functions
Experience developing and managing strategic supplier or agency relationships
Strategic thinking and strong business acumen
Influence and negotiation skills
Ability to build business cases, cost models and scenarios
Comfort with business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau
Advanced written and verbal communication skills
Strong critical thinking, risk sensing and trade-off analysis
Change leadership and continuous improvement capabilities
Curiosity about emerging technologies and AI
Proficiency in SAP, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Working understanding of source-to-pay processes
Enthusiastic, tenacious and a strong team player

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexibility to support wellbeing and balance priorities
Highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package
Annual incentive payment eligibility
Stock awards eligibility
Healthcare benefits for US-based employees
Retirement benefits for US-based employees
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Wellness benefits
Industry-leading parental leave
Diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives
Reasonable adjustment support during application