Head of Innovation & Business Planning

Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand!
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. What you will be doing The Strategic Sourcing Department has an opening for a Director Strategic Sourcing Meat, Own Brands. We welcome and value diversity, unique experiences, and wide skills sets.
The ideal candidate is self-starting strategic sourcing professional with extensive experience in consumer goods products, including food, beverage and non-food consumables. You are a problem solver with an entrepreneurial mindset who is persistently looking for places to improve, is curious, and excited by the work in the field of Strategic Sourcing and private label. Develop strategic, mutually beneficial best practices with suppliers and internal stakeholder teams (Merchandising, Own Brands, Replenishment, Supply Chain, Transportation, etc.) Lead top to top meetings to identify business opportunities and consumer trends to grow sales in partnership with suppliers and internal cross functional teams.
Partner closely with Finance to develop financial plans and forecasts related to the sourcing of commodities, goods and services and any potential P&L impacts.
Partner with internal packaging personnel and identify innovative, sustainable packaging materials as well as other ESG solutions for the Own Brands portfolio of products.
Partner with the legal department as needed to facilitate the negotiation of terms and conditions of Own Brands contracts.
Manage supplier performance metrics, tracking key KPIs to ensure service levels are being met.
Lead the development and planning of category strategy, planning, maturity, opportunity assessments and supplier relationship management
Formulate and execute strategic sourcing plans for meat categories, aligning with the overall business objective
Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure the best possible pricing, terms, and conditions while ensuring compliance with industry standards
Conduct market research and analysis to stay informed of trends, pricing and supply chain dynamics in the meat industry including specific types like beef, pork and poultry
Continuously monitor market trends, price fluctuations, and industry news to identify potential risks and opportunities in the meat market
Analyze cost structures and seek opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies of meat commodities
Develop and maintain strong relationships with meat suppliers, evaluating their quality, reliability, and pricing to ensure optimal sourcing
S. degree in Business/Supply Chain, Meat Science/Food Science or other related fields, MBA preferred.
Minimum of 10 plus years’ experience in retail meat and poultry sourcing and procurement (commodity and value added).
Deep understanding of meat and poultry industry specifications, production systems, quality grades and animal raising processes and/or understanding of meat category, their sourcing regions, quality standards, and market dynamics.
Ability to interpret raw material and finished good specifications and evaluate corresponding cost implications and opportunities.
Familiarity with USDA/FDA standards, perishability, and packaging are a plus. Strong program skills in MS Office.
Strong initiative, creative problem-solving ability and sense of urgency.
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Strong customer support and ability to work with cross-functional teams.
Competitive wages paid weekly
Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream
Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay). Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve
Our Values - Click below to view video: Committed to innovation and fostering a culture of belonging, our team is united with a unique purpose: to bring people together around the joys of food and to inspire well-being. Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) is a leading food and drug retailer in the U.We operate over 2,200 stores, 1,732 pharmacies, 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution facilities, and 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, United Express, Randalls, Albertson’s Market, Pavilions, Star Markets, Market Street, Carrs, Haggen, Lucky, Amigos, Andronico’s Community Markets, King’s, Balducci’s, and Albertson’s Market Street.
Our vision is to be a retail leader admired for national strength with deep local roots, offering an easy, fun, friendly, and inspiring experience, no matter how customers choose to shop with us. We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and strive to create a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can fully contribute to their and our company’s success.
Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. All employees must comply with Company, Division, and Store policies and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties, and skills of personnel may vary within store and/or from store to store and the official job description will be provided during the application process.
This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Consistent with applicable state and local law, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
We endeavor to make this site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io(option #4).
Starting rates will be no less than the local minimum wage and may vary based on criteria such as location, experience, and qualifications. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, sick pay, PTO/Vacation Pay or Flexible Time Off, paid holidays, bereavement pay, and retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility). [Associates in this position may be eligible for a quarterly bonus.

#