Senior Procurement Director, Sugar EMEA

Role overview

This leadership role oversees the Sugar Program for the Coca-Cola system across EMEA, covering The Coca-Cola Company, company-owned bottlers, and franchise bottlers. It owns a regional category spend of around $2.3 billion and is responsible for keeping operating units aligned, driving senior-level negotiations, and protecting supply continuity and competitiveness across the network.

The position leads the creation and delivery of end-to-end sugar procurement plans for the Cross-Enterprise Procurement Group, with a strong focus on EMEA. The goal is to create long-term value through strategic sourcing, supplier management, commodity risk control, and supply chain improvement across a complex multi-bottler environment.

Using strong knowledge of agricultural commodities and the full value chain, the role identifies opportunities to lower costs, raise service levels, improve working capital, and strengthen sustainability outcomes. It also advises on hedging approaches, supplier capability reviews, and long-range procurement policy while encouraging collaboration across the Coca-Cola system to increase buying power and build durable competitive advantage.

Key responsibilities

• Direct the design and execution of sugar procurement strategy for EMEA within the Cross-Enterprise Procurement Group, covering The Coca-Cola Company, company-owned bottling operations, and franchise bottling operations.
• Build supply chain approaches that reduce cost, shorten lead time, and lower risk through collaborative procurement and strong internal stakeholder alignment.
• Run 7-step sourcing events and manage negotiations for contracts, pricing, volumes, and commercial terms.
• Work closely with Procurement, Technical, and System teams across the region to define priorities, standards, and target outcomes, then help deliver them.
• Share product and service expertise with geographic teams to strengthen bottler relationships, improve cooperation, and increase network participation.
• Develop resilient sugar supplier relationships in EMEA that create long-term value for both the Coca-Cola system and suppliers.
• Create negotiation approaches that support Coca-Cola business goals while building sustainable supplier relationships.
• Provide raw material cost forecasts to company-owned operations and relevant third parties, including bottlers, to support their business planning.
• Take part in strategic expansion and investment discussions with key sugar suppliers to support expected demand growth and regional sustainability programs.
• Lead the sugar category sustainability agenda in line with Principles for Sustainable Agriculture.
• Encourage the use of digital tools and AI to generate better insights.
• Guide company-owned and franchise bottling operations on sugar price hedging and commodity risk management to improve total cost of ownership.
• Influence supplier manufacturing methods, technology choices, and policies across the region in ways that benefit both sides and support sustainability, using the scale of The Coca-Cola system.
• Assess supplier core strengths and competitive position with industry cost models.

Education and experience

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant procurement experience is required.
• Hands-on experience in sugar procurement and understanding of the sugar supply chain are required.
• Strong internal stakeholder management and influencing ability are required.
• Executive-level supplier negotiation experience is required.

Functional competencies

• Proven ability to lead, prioritize, collaborate, and deliver complex sugar category strategy and strategic sourcing programs.
• Preferred understanding of the Coca-Cola system and bottler relationships.
• Clear communication, emotional intelligence, and presentation capability.
• Strong relationship management skills, including stakeholder alignment and interaction with senior leaders at major global suppliers.
• Ability to build productive business relationships and persuade others directly and indirectly.
• Strong supplier and stakeholder relationship-building capability.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and collaboration efforts.
• Courageous leadership with the ability to simplify complex business issues into practical solutions.
• Ability to evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions that secure broad support and create win-win outcomes.
• Comfort working through ambiguity while managing risk.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking background.
• Ability to deliver with urgency.
• Comfort operating amid uncertainty, market movement, and risk assessment.
• Consistently demonstrates company values through actions, words, and leadership example.

Critical capabilities

• Strategic leadership and vision
• Category management expertise
• Financial acumen
• Business partner alignment
• Supplier relationship management
• Team member development
• Global stakeholder leadership
• Negotiation excellence
• Risk management and continuity planning
• Digital fluency and data-driven decision-making

Location and travel

This role is based in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. Travel is expected at 0% to 25%. Relocation is not provided.

Culture and values

The company emphasizes an inclusive, growth-minded culture focused on curiosity, empowerment, inclusion, and agility. It values continuous learning and a purposeful approach to work that helps refresh the world and make a difference.

Additional compensation information

The annual incentive reference value percentage is 30%. This represents the market-based target value for the role and indicates performance at target.

Other information

Job posting end date: July 21, 2026.