Category Specialist, Indirect Procurement

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 (Hybrid)

REPORTS TO: Sr. Manager, Indirect Procurement

As the Specialist, Indirect Procurement, you will lead day-to-day operations and support the entire Source to Pay cycle of Indirect procurement categories, including Travel, Fleet, Marketing, Professional Services, HR, Real Estate and Temp Labor (Spend Analysis, RFPs, Negotiation, Contracting, and Supplier Relationship management).

What you will do:

Lead and support the full Source-to-Pay cycle for various indirect categories (e.g., Travel, Fleet, Marketing, HR, Real Estate), aligning with corporate and global procurement strategies.

Conduct spend and market analysis, manage RFPs, negotiate contracts, and implement preferred supplier partnerships to drive value and mitigate risk.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, serving as the main contact for reporting, data collection, and supplier diversity initiatives.

Continuously analyze procurement data, apply benchmarks, and renegotiate contracts to enhance service levels and reduce costs.

Act as the key contact for US/CA Fleet operations and assist in managing SAP Concur Travel administration.

Work closely with the Center of Excellence (COE) team and regional procurement teams to understand local needs and ensure alignment.

Lead external reporting for supplier diversity, track working capital improvements, and support indirect purchase order processes.

What you will bring:

1. Market & Spend Analysis

Evaluate market trends, risks, and supplier profiles.

Proactively identify cost-saving, innovation, and technology opportunities across the indirect spend portfolio.

2. Strategic Sourcing Expertise

Skilled in sourcing processes including RFPs, negotiations, contracting, and supplier lifecycle management.

Experienced in drafting and negotiating contracts.

3. Analytical & Financial Acumen

Strong in data analysis, cost modeling, budgeting, and forecasting.

Proficient in Microsoft Office and e-sourcing tools for spend analytics and contract management.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Effectively partners with diverse internal teams (Finance, HR, Legal, IT, R&D, etc.).

Brings strong global and cross-cultural communication skills.

5. Customer-Centric & Adaptive

Deep focus on internal customer experience.

Agile and resilient in dynamic, ambiguous environments.

6. Leadership & Influence

Self-starter with minimal supervision.

Strong persuasion, emotional intelligence, and change-driving mindset.

7. Project & Process Management

Highly organized with excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Experienced in managing business processes and complex projects.

Who you are:

1. Educational Background & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Prior procurement or purchasing experience, preferably in Indirect categories.

2. Technical Proficiency

Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite.

Experience with Concur Travel is a plus.

3. Procurement Knowledge

Solid understanding of purchasing practices, policies, and procedures.

4. Project Management

Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results aligned with expectations.

5. Communication Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Comfortable interacting across all corporate levels.

6. Teamwork & Independence

Effective working both independently and collaboratively within teams.

7. Organizational & Problem-Solving Skills

Highly organized with strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

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 

#LI-DR1 #LI-HYBRID

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.