Director, Strategic Sourcing

Description Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive - whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go‑Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz. At Lactalis, we live by our core values - Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. From your PASSION to ours Lactalis USA is seeking a Director, Strategic Sourcing to join our North American Purchasing Team. To best support our collaborative environment, this leader can be based in any of our U.S. Headquarters: Bedford, NH; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; or Minneapolis, MN. The Director, Strategic Sourcing, is a key member of the Purchasing Team North America (NA), responsible for developing long‑term purchasing strategies and implementing short and medium‑term purchasing strategies, policies, practices, and systems. The incumbent will have a strong collaborative working relationship with the Company's global procurement team, local (Canadian and US) internal stakeholders throughout the organization and will lead a team comprising of managers and professionals to ensure that the overall goals of the organization are being met, including total cost and supply objectives. From your EXPERTISE to ours Oversee the development and execution of sourcing strategies across multiple categories within span of control including targets, timelines and resource plans. Manage global strategy & negotiation initiatives led by the global procurement team by providing information such as pricing specifications and vendor listings, market intelligence and negotiating at local level for finalization. Ensure set strategies and initiatives at a North American level are implemented by team. Develop long term strategies and ensure local short- and medium‑term sourcing strategies are implemented by team members using in‑depth knowledge and analysis of key cost drivers. Full ownership of budget portfolio of multiple categories with input on the budget assumptions from the Senior director Procurement and the global Strategic procurement team Accountable for the management of all contracts for various category portfolios at the zone level, including qualify vendors, tender, negotiate, and implement all contracts. Lead cost and supply risks for key material supplies within categories by ensuring team is maintaining up to date knowledge of market changes to alert on the risk, contracting in advance of the concern or contracting low and long if it is a price risk, and finding and qualifying alternate vendors or alternate materials. Act as intermediary for escalated issues with senior local leadership to ensure all manufacturing plants are following proper purchasing procedures and communicate changes in purchasing policies and procedures as required. For the categories the incumbent directly manages, identify and execute value analysis and vendor transfer savings opportunities as a cross‑functional effort to deliver cost reduction targets and optimize other performance measures such as on‑time delivery & lead time on purchased goods and services, without jeopardizing quality, flexibility, and supply continuity. Participate as an active cross‑functional liaison by providing insight to the Senior leadership within Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, R&D, Sales and Marketing and other key functional areas of the business for effective project execution such as new launches, line extensions, and process optimization. The scope includes sourcing, pricing, as well as sharing process improvements ideas provided by the vendors. Lead and manage Canadian/US zone team by establishing goals and priorities, and providing work direction, reviewing performance, providing support with suppliers, and providing feedback. Work with team in determining training and development needs. Establish a high level of capability, knowledge, productivity, accountability and decision making within the Purchasing group. Champion the transfer of purchasing knowledge between all functional groups. Develop essential external supplier relationships to optimize supplier quality and performance, including continuous improvement, innovation, and reduction in total cost of ownership to add value to North America region. Manage supplier quality and supplier non‑conformance concerns. Support and manage the company acquisition with the support of the global procurement team Could be assigned to special projects by the Senior Director, Corporate Procurement Supervisor Responsibilities The incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of Packaging Procurement team members in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Work Conditions Travel is required up to 50% monthly. Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs. To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided. To fulfill these responsibilities, a cell phone is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities. This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy. Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well‑being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company's overall performance and success. Requirements From your STORY to ours Education Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or another appropriate discipline is required. Experience Minimum of fifteen (15) years' working experience, with seven (7) to ten (10) years' experience in a Procurement function, preferably at a food company. Minimum 5 years management experience within plastic packaging categories (Flexible: films, pouches, sleeves) Experience in negotiating complex multi-year agreements through RFP/ RFQ bidding processes Certifications and specific knowledge High level of initiative, and strong interpersonal skills. Good leadership and ability to interact with a wide variety of management levels and business situations Strong planning, project management, leadership skills and execution skills Rigorous data driven/analytical capability Strong negotiation skills Able to positively influence others Ability to lead and motivate staff Strong presentation skills and ability to present to groups of various size and levels of leadership Foundational knowledge of contract law and legal terms & conditions Foundational knowledge of financial statements i.e. the impact of the role on the business Strong problem solving and analytical skills Proficient with Microsoft Office including advanced proficiency MS Excel and MS PowerPoint Benefits At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career. Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations. #J-18808-Ljbffr Lactalis USA