Head of Operational Procurement and Planning Europe (w/m/d)

NovaTaste is a global leader in taste innovation, delivering tailored culinary solutions and memorable taste experiences. A broad portfolio of renowned brands across Europe and internationally brings together extensive expertise in spices, seasoning blends, marinades, functional ingredients and food cultures. Close to its customers and anchored in global expertise, NovaTaste develops tailored solutions for food manufacturers, wholesalers, butchers, gastronomy and food service operators. These solutions enhance taste, texture and shelf life while consistently addressing sustainability and functional requirements. The company operates 21 locations in Europe, North America and Asia and employs more than 2,400 people who serve over 12,000 customers worldwide.

As Head of Operational Procurement and Planning Europe, you will play a key leadership role within our European Supply Chain organization. Acting as the link between Strategic Procurement and operational execution, you will make a significant contribution to material availability, transparency, data quality, and operational efficiency. Together with your team, you will actively shape the future development of our procurement and planning processes across Europe.

Your Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for material availability and inventory optimization across European sites
• Lead, develop, and manage the European Operational Procurement team
• Ensure efficient procurement processes from raw material requirements to availability
• Manage operational supplier performance and lead escalation processes in the event of supply risks or shortages
• Oversee purchase order management and supplier complaint resolution processes
• Drive continuous improvement, standardization and harmonization of procurement and supply chain processes while ensuring high data quality standards
• Take ownership of the ongoing optimization of SAP processes and other relevant systems and tools
• Collaborate closely with Strategic Procurement, Production Planning, Quality Management and other key stakeholders across the business
• Define, analyze, and manage key procurement and supply chain performance indicators, including reporting
• Lead and implement optimization, digitalization, and transformation initiatives within the European Operational Procurement organization

Your Profile

• Completed degree with a focus on Business Administration, Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a comparable qualification
• At least 5 years of professional experience in procurement, ideally within an international manufacturing or supply chain environment
• Several years of leadership experience, with a proven track record in developing organizations, processes, and operational workflows
• Strong SAP knowledge, ideally in Materials Management (MM), Purchasing and Material Planning
• In-depth understanding of inventory management, material planning, and supplier management
• Analytical, structured, and solution-oriented working style with strong numerical aptitude
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, combined with the ability to drive decisions and achieve results
• Fluent German and English skills, both written and spoken
• Willingness to travel to our European Locations

Benefits

• Excellent lunch options at gourmet level in our company restaurant
• Attractive discounts on our products
• Professional, free support for mental health through our partner nilo.health
• Physiotherapy with a low co-payment, company doctor, and occupational pension scheme
• ClimateTicket Salzburg and company bike leasing
• Flexible working hours through an attractive flexitime model and home office options
• Flat organizational structure with a first-name culture and short decision-making paths
• A constructive and innovative working environment in a successful, internationally active company

In accordance with the applicable collective agreement, the minimum salary for this position is € 3,748.13 gross per month based on full-time employment (38.5 hours per week). We offer a market-competitive salary package and a significant overpayment depending on your qualifications, experience and expertise.