At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external manufacturing and co-packing strategy across Europe for iconic brands like Reese’s and Jolly Rancher.
- Company: Join Hershey, a global leader in confectionery with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a commitment to continuous improvement and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain strategies that support beloved brands and drive growth.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in supply chain management with expertise in co-manufacturing and partnerships.
This position is responsible for end-to-end ownership of supply from external manufacturing and co-packing partners outside Hershey’s internal manufacturing network, with a primary focus on Europe. The role will lead the external manufacturing and co-packing strategy across Europe to support Hershey’s growth ambitions, including Reese’s, Jolly Rancher, and other priority brands.
The role serves as Hershey’s focal point for all activities related to external co-manufacturing and co-packing operations in Europe. This includes managing the established co-manufacturer and co-packer network, overseeing contracts, resolving operational issues related to payments and supply constraints, managing partner relationships, and identifying, evaluating, and onboarding new external manufacturing partners to support NPD and business development opportunities. The primary markets include Hershey’s Europe, MEA, and WTR regions.
The role will also support product supply from external manufacturing locations to other regions, including APAC and Canada, by confirming supply feasibility, product costs, outbound logistics requirements, and related operational considerations. This role will work closely with Procurement on sourcing strategies for critical components such as chocolate paste, peanut crème, and packaging to support the external manufacturing and co-packing network.
The role will also partner with Supply Chain teams to ensure supply adherence and lead discussions with external partners on supply and demand changes. Likewise, the role holder would also work with Stakeholder and support functions such as Finance, Legal, QRC, Responsible sourcing and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance for the co-manufacturing and co-packing locations.
This role reports to the Director, Supply Chain EMEA & WTR and is supported by a team overseeing key aspects of the external manufacturing network, including Account management (partner contracting, commercial management), supply planning, coordination and product delivery across multiple markets, and New Product delivery through existing and new manufacturing partners.
Accountabilities- Lead Manufacturing Alliance Strategy & Network Management
- Own Hershey's external manufacturing and co-packing network across Europe, MEA and WTR.
- Develop and execute manufacturing alliance and sourcing strategies that support growth, supply continuity, and value creation.
- Develop and maintain long-term sourcing and manufacturing strategies.
- Identify, evaluate and onboard new partners to strengthen Hershey's manufacturing capabilities and support innovation initiatives.
- Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, Procurement and Commercial teams to establish and maintain long-term sourcing strategies that support growth plans.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with manufacturing and co-packing partners throughout the partnership lifecycle.
- Manage contracts, commercial negotiations, renewals, and governance processes.
- Lead resolution of complex partnership, supply, and operational issues while mitigating business and operational risks.
- Support ESG functions in coordinating compliance and audit-related actions with external partners.
- Owner of packaging procurement activities with external co-manufacturing and co-packing suppliers, including source identification, pricing negotiations, supply assurance, and stakeholder management.
- Partner with Procurement to establish and implement ingredient sourcing strategies aligned to growth plans.
- Coordinate supply planning, raw material and packaging availability, and production scheduling with external manufacturing partners.
- Issue resolution with co-manufacturing/co-packing partners.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance shared manufacturing capabilities and partner performance.
- Support innovation, NPD, and business development opportunities across the alliance network.
- Facilitate partner reviews, KPI tracking, compliance activities, and best-practice sharing to strengthen partnership effectiveness.
- Mentors & develops team in order to improve capabilities and drive decision points through insights & analyses.
- Be accountable for coaching and developing direct reports.
- Be responsible and committed for the training and development plan for him/herself and his/her team.
- Education: BS/BA in Engineering, Science, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
- Experience: Prefer 8+ years related experience in supply chain with exposure to co-manufacturing/co-packing management.
Manager, External Supply EMEA WTR employer: The Hershey Company
Hershey is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters growth and innovation within the confectionery sector. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises professional development, with ample opportunities for coaching and mentorship, particularly in the fast-paced Discounter Channel. Joining our team means being part of a forward-thinking company that values strategic thinking and results-driven performance, all while working with iconic brands like Reese’s.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, External Supply EMEA WTR
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at The Hershey Company, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Manager, External Supply EMEA WTR.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, External Supply EMEA WTR
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at The Hershey Company. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research The Hershey Company and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Hershey Company
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at The Hershey Company.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by The Hershey Company
Look into any unique supply chain challenges The Hershey Company might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
