Director of Supply Chain

The Food Source International is seeking a Director of Supply Chain to lead, scale, and evolve our purchasing, procurement, and production operations. This is more than a management role — it is an opportunity to build, improve, and transform how we operate. We’re looking for a smart, curious, and customer‑obsessed leader who believes learning never stops and who enjoys developing people, processes, and partnerships. In this role, you’ll drive continuous improvement, influence strategy, strengthen our supply chain, and help deliver meaningful impact across the business. Essential Functions Utilizes independent judgment to lead the day‑to‑day execution of purchasing, procurement, and production scheduling activities to meet high performance standards for cost, quality, service, and reliability. Owns and has authority to make decisions on material and production planning, including demand forecasting, finished goods scheduling, and alignment of raw material availability with production requirements. Develop, monitor, and adjust forecasts to anticipate changes in demand and assess impacts on inbound materials and outbound finished goods. In partnership with the Director of Operations, analyze raw material and finished goods inventories to understand inventory levels and supply chain impacts, driving improved production efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced service levels. Define, track, and report key performance metrics (KPIs) related to purchasing, procurement, production scheduling, supplier performance, cost, quality, and service. Lead supplier sourcing, contract negotiations, and cost management efforts to drive competitive advantage and measurable outcomes. Build, maintain, and continuously strengthen strategic supplier relationships, including a deep understanding of ingredient and seasoning categories. Collaborate closely with internal teams (operations, quality, sales, finance) and external partners to ensure seamless coordination between procurement and production. Provide overall direction, coaching, and performance management for materials management, purchasing, and scheduling team members. Develop team capabilities through skills development, safety leadership, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement. Adjust production and purchasing schedules as needed to meet changing business and customer requirements. Initiate and lead continuous improvement initiatives across purchasing, procurement, and production, driving measurable improvements in performance, cost optimization, and operational effectiveness. Travel minimally, as needed, to supplier sites or industry events to support sourcing, relationships, and innovation. Set and communicate a long‑term supply chain strategy aligned with company growth, customer needs, and margin goals. Translate business objectives into annual operating plans, capacity plans, and supply chain roadmaps. Act as a thought partner to executive leadership, providing insights, trade‑offs, and recommendations. Lead change management for new processes, systems, suppliers, or organizational shifts. Responsibilities / Skills / Abilities Set and communicate a long‑term supply chain strategy aligned with company growth, customer needs, and margin goals. Translate business objectives into annual operating plans, capacity plans, and supply chain roadmaps. Act as a thought partner to executive leadership, providing insights, trade‑offs, and recommendations. Lead change management for new processes, systems, suppliers, or organizational shifts. Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (supplier disruptions, capacity constraints, logistics delays, ingredient availability). Develop contingency plans and dual‑sourcing strategies for critical materials. Monitor market conditions (availability, pricing, lead times) and proactively adjust procurement strategies. Financial & Business Impact Own or influence cost‑of‑goods (COGS) improvement initiatives. Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Evaluate make/buy decisions and total cost of ownership for sourcing options. Support pricing strategies through cost transparency and forecasting. Segment suppliers (strategic vs. transactional) and define supplier governance models. Lead supplier performance reviews, scorecards, and corrective action plans. Drive supplier innovation, value engineering, and collaboration. Ensure ethical sourcing and supplier compliance with company standards. Systems, Data & Technology Lead adoption and optimization of ERP, MRP, and planning systems. Improve data accuracy, visibility, and reporting across purchasing, inventory, and production. Use analytics to drive fact‑based decision‑making and continuous improvement. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Serve as the bridge between Operations, Sales, Quality, R&D, Finance, and Customer Service. Align demand planning with sales forecasts and production capabilities. Support new product introductions by ensuring supply readiness and scalability. Talent & Culture Build a high‑performing supply chain team through hiring, coaching, and succession planning. Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement. Develop future leaders within procurement and production planning. Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises supply chain team members, which may include managers, supervisors, and individual contributors across purchasing, procurement, and production. Recruits, hires, trains, coaches, and develops team members; builds succession plans and high‑performing teams. Sets performance expectations, conducts performance reviews, and provides ongoing feedback, recognition, and corrective action as needed. Leads employee engagement and development, including goal setting, skills development, and cross‑functional collaboration. Manages workload and staffing plans to ensure operational coverage, efficiency, and scalability. Approves time, schedules, and PTO in accordance with company policy. Ensures compliance with company policies, safety standards, and applicable laws and regulations. Addresses employee relations issues in partnership with HR, including coaching, investigations, and performance improvement plans. Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration. *Denotes food safety responsibilities Work Experience Requirements Minimum: 7‑10 years in supply chain, operations, purchasing, procurement, or manufacturing. Ideal: ~10–15 years total experience. Leadership experience: 3–7+ years managing teams, managers, or cross‑functional groups. Transportation management systems implementation experience preferred. Import/export experience preferred. Education / Knowledge Requirements Bachelor’s degree with a focus in supply chain or related field of study. Reports To: Vice President of Finance Backup: Department Managers Physical Requirements Ability to sit for extended periods of time while working at a computer and in meetings. Ability to stand and walk intermittently throughout the workday. Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) to participate in meetings, presentations, and discussions. Ability to use standard office equipment, including a computer, phone, and video conferencing tools. Ability to review documents, reports, and data in both digital and hard‑copy formats. Ability to travel occasionally, including visiting suppliers, production facilities, or company locations, as business needs require. Typing and applying pressure with the fingers and palm required. The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Ability to walk through warehouse or production environments with uneven surfaces, noise, temperature variation, or industrial equipment. Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when present in operational areas. Ability to observe operations from the production floor or warehouse environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Work environment/Hours The work environment: Typical office setting with occasional exposure to warehouse or production environment. Full‑time – Office hours are typically 8:30‑5:00pm, Monday‑Friday with occasional overtime. Travel 10% may be required, local travel and industry events or customer relations. EEO: We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by the law. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Food Source International, Inc.