Director of Procurement

Overview

The Director of Procurement provides strategic leadership and direction for all company-wide sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management activities across multiple manufacturing sites. This role is responsible for developing and executing an enterprise procurement strategy that supports growth, profitability, and sustainability objectives in a dynamic food manufacturing environment. The Senior Director partners closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure that procurement aligns with operational goals, risk management, and long-term business strategy.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the corporate procurement strategy to achieve company-wide cost savings, quality assurance, and supply chain resiliency;
• Oversee centralized sourcing for raw materials, ingredients, packaging, indirect materials, and capital expenditures across all manufacturing locations;
• Drive standardization of procurement policies, processes, and systems to ensure consistency and efficiency enterprise-wide;
• Lead strategic initiatives focused on supplier innovation, cost optimization, and sustainable sourcing;
• Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with key global and domestic suppliers;
• Implement supplier segmentation, performance scorecards, and governance structures to drive accountability and continuous improvement;
• Develop and monitor risk management strategies for critical supply categories to ensure continuity of operations;
• Partner with Operations, R&D, Quality, and Finance leadership to align procurement decisions with company goals for production, product innovation, and profitability;
• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Team on market trends, commodity risks, and strategic sourcing opportunities;
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and new facility integrations from a procurement perspective;
• Lead, coach, and develop a geographically dispersed procurement team, ensuring a high-performance culture;
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, food safety standards, and ethical sourcing practices;
• Drive corporate sustainability initiatives, including responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and supplier diversity;
• Oversee adherence to internal controls, policies, and audit standards across all procurement operations;
• Champion the use of data analytics, ERP/MRP systems, and digital procurement tools to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making;
• Oversee spend analysis, forecasting, and performance dashboards to provide actionable insights to senior leadership;
• Perform other required tasks as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required; Master's degree or MBA strongly preferred;
• 12-15 years of progressive experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain leadership, with at least 7 years in a senior or corporate-level role within the food manufacturing industry;
• Demonstrated success managing procurement across multiple plants or business units;
• Experience in global sourcing, commodity management, and contract negotiation;
• Strong executive leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels;
• Expertise in category management, supplier governance, and strategic sourcing methodologies;
• Advanced understanding of food manufacturing operations, regulatory compliance (FDA, USDA, GFSI, SQF/BRC), and sustainability initiatives;
• High financial and analytical acumen with proven ability to deliver measurable cost savings and operational efficiencies;
• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent), procurement analytics tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.