Supplier Development Consultant at The Heineken Company

• To develop and qualify global supply sources that improve cost competitiveness, ensure supplier capability, and reduce risk. The role acts as the key interface between the company and suppliers, leading supplier selection, qualification, development, and performance management while supporting new product development, enforcing HEINEKEN Beverages requirements, and resolving supplier material issues through strong cross‑functional and stakeholder collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Financial

• Lead supplier selection, onboarding, and qualification processes
• Ensure compliance with certification and HEINEKEN specifications
• Provide technical support to suppliers
• Analyse data to identify risks and inform business decisions
• Maintain tools such as TQA schedules and supplier capability matrices

Operational Results

• Conduct supplier audits (start-up, periodic, and performance-based)
• Drive supplier performance, quality, and capability improvement (e.g., Cpk > 1.33)
• Manage supplier risks, audit findings, and corrective actions
• Lead resolution of material and quality concerns
• Track performance via dashboards and metrics (SRM, material, audit, COA, notifications)
• Reduce defects, claims, incoming inspections, and audit findings
• Facilitate supplier performance reviews and improvement initiatives

Customer & Stakeholder Relationships

• Build and maintain strong internal and supplier relationships
• Support new product development and process improvements with suppliers
• Ensure data accuracy and maintain supplier capability and risk matrices
• Drive supplier maturity and performance alignment

Effective Leadership

• Contribute to organisational culture and behaviours
• Facilitate external project teams
• Support and participate in performance and behavioural assessments (e.g., 360° feedback, surveys)

Innovation & Improvement

• Lead cost-saving and process improvement initiatives
• Manage strategic/high-focus suppliers
• Ensure timely implementation of projects
• Present supplier-related projects and improvements (e.g., Supplier Appreciation Day)

Requirements: Qualification, Experience, Skills

• A Degree in Science, Industrial Engineering, or Procurement and Supply would be advantageous
• A technical /quality professional with a track record of delivering continuous improvement
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant material/supplier manufacturing, quality systems development, and previous relevant management experience required.
• Social skills: Sound interpersonal skills, good communication skills written and verbal, good self-esteem, can work in a team, and influence and motivate others, Ability to win people over, Self-starter, Emotional intelligent, Goal directed, Effective listening, good presentation skills
• Organizational skills: Ability to grasp new technologies and concepts, Continuous improvement and enquiring mind-set, Ability to lead multiple projects at a time, Excellent planning skills with great attention to detail and ability to prioritize work, proactive, Dedicated and uncompromising regarding quality, safety, work ethics and operational standards within the field, Strategic thinking skills, Ability to work under pressure, Work well independently without supervision, Ability to challenge and change the status quo, Strong team player, conceptual skills, maintain high level of confidentiality, negotiation skills
• Technical skills: Attention to detail and strong analytical abilities, technical expert on Packaging and/or Ingredient Materials (all alcohol beverage materials), Lead auditor
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, Power Point, SAP, Mini-tab, QlikView, Aris Express, Phantom, etc.
• Artistic skills: creative thinker
• Other skills: Establish sustainable networks within the relevant fields, Ability to drive own development in building competence