Procurement Manager

About the Role Sesh is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead and oversee 100% of the company’s Direct and Indirect spend while building scalable procurement capabilities. This is a high-impact, hands-on role ideal for a strategic builder who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and can bring structure, rigor, and value to a complex and evolving spend portfolio within a regulated consumer products industry. This role combines hands-on category ownership with the responsibility to design and scale Sesh’s procurement operating model. Key Responsibilities End-to-End Procurement Ownership Lead all aspects of Direct and Indirect procurement, from strategy development through execution, supplier management, and performance evaluation. Establish visibility into total company spend, develop category strategies, and align procurement initiatives with company growth, margin, and cash flow objectives. Direct Procurement (Product & Manufacturing) Manage relationships with contract manufacturers and co-manufacturers to ensure capacity, quality, and service levels meet current and future demand. Source and manage raw materials and ingredients for nicotine pouch products, including active ingredients, excipients, flavors, and packaging materials. Own primary and secondary packaging categories (e.g., cans, lids, labels, cartons, shipping cases), driving standardization and cost efficiencies where feasible. Select and manage third-party testing laboratories and related services to support quality assurance, stability testing, and regulatory compliance. Support inbound and outbound logistics strategies as they relate to supplier and manufacturing partnerships. Indirect Procurement (Growth & Enabling Spend) Own Indirect spend categories including trade marketing and point-of-sale materials, IT and software subscriptions, and travel. Expand oversight to additional Indirect categories such as professional services (legal, regulatory, HR/recruiting), facilities and office services, logistics/3PL providers, and people-related vendors. Rationalize and consolidate vendors, establish spend guardrails, and enable internal teams to procure efficiently while maintaining control and compliance. Supplier Strategy & Performance Management Categorize suppliers (Strategic, Preferred, Transactional) and define the right engagement model, cadence, and expectations for each. Lead RFPs/RFQs, negotiate contracts, and implement new supply routes where they improve quality, cost, service, or risk. Establish supplier KPIs and reviews across Quality, Cost, and Service, and partner with internal teams to address issues and unlock opportunities. Process, Terms & Cash Flow Optimization Define, document, and implement core procurement processes, including sourcing thresholds, approval workflows, and vendor onboarding standards. Improve cash flow through negotiation of favorable commercial terms (e.g., payment terms, MOQs, rebates, price protections) while maintaining strong supplier relationships. Partner closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, and Marketing teams to ensure procurement enables speed, compliance, and scalable growth. Required Qualifications 5–8+ years of experience in Procurement or Strategic Sourcing, preferably within Consumer Goods; experience in regulated industries (e.g., nicotine, food, beverage, nutraceuticals, pharma-adjacent) strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience managing both Direct (contract manufacturing, raw materials, packaging, labs) and Indirect procurement categories. Proven ability to build or significantly mature procurement functions in high-growth or entrepreneurial environments, with an understanding of best-in-class procurement practices. Strong negotiation skills with a track record of delivering value through cost savings, improved terms, and enhanced service levels. Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience partnering across Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Quality, and Regulatory teams. Work Style & Attributes Bias for action: Moves quickly, leverages data, and prioritizes execution over perfection. Comfort with ambiguity: Able to build structure in evolving environments and adapt priorities as the business scales. Regulated-industry mindset: Balances speed and innovation with compliance, documentation, and operational rigor. Hands-on and strategic: Equally effective developing long-term category strategies and managing day-to-day execution, negotiations, and issue resolution. Why Join Sesh? High-impact leadership role within a rapidly scaling consumer brand Fast-paced, collaborative culture that values ownership and accountability Competitive compensation package, including stock options Comprehensive health benefits and flexible time off Austin, TX–based team with an in-office collaborative environment #J-18808-Ljbffr