Coordinate with R&D, Quality, and Regulatory stakeholders to identify and qualify suppliers for existing and future ingredients, supporting approval and implementation workflows, including monitoring and ongoing management of tracking tools, supplier outreach, document and sample collection, etc.
Execute ingredient sourcing inputs for new product development by managing the ingredient outreach and selection process, coordinating supplier documentation and samples, achieving timeline expectations, and supporting trials and innovation requests.
Support development and execution of annual contracting strategies to reduce supply risk while supporting growth across raw materials; present options, assumptions, and tradeoffs for Company decision-making.
Collaborate with Materials Planning to forecast ingredient needs and coordinate supplier commitments to support required timing and locations.
Monitor and summarize raw material and commodity market dynamics; deliver periodic insights to inform buying strategies.
Maintain real time material price updates within established forecasting files in support of Finance planning
Support implementation of sustainability-related sourcing workstreams in partnership with the Sustainability Manager, including for raw materials where applicable.
Support implementation of sustainable sourcing initiatives (e.g., regenerative agriculture) and assist in development of an implementation roadmap for Company review.
Track procurement/planning-related performance metrics and benchmarks; provide dashboards or summary reporting as agreed.
Support and/or lead all supplier legal documentation implementation efforts (i.e. NDA, MSA, etc.)
Coordinate internally and externally to ensure all supplier Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Business Reviews are prepared and occur in a timely manner
Support and/or lead relevant, effective, and timely internal communications to ensure supply, achieve relevant timelines, provide updates, callout risks, etc.
Manage new vendor/material creation processes in coordination with Accounting, Materials Planning, and others
Manage ad hoc supply outreach processes to collect all relevant information and propose solutions and recommendations to meet company needs
Ensure accurate and timely updates and/or creation of necessary files and trackers to ensure the department remains organized and can make effective decisions using clean data
Support team identification and communication of process gaps (i.e. quality, sourcing, planning, etc.), working cross-functionally to implement solutions
Support QA team in resolving open quality incidents, ensuring CAPAs are received within a timely manner and supplier claims are submitted and resolved
QUALIFICATIONS
8+ years of relevant experience across supply chain/operations, including 5+ years of hands-on procurement experience.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders through expertise and execution.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to propose solutions with incomplete information.
Ability to thrive in a fast paced sometimes ambiguous work environment, supporting ever-changing needs
Highly organized with strong follow-through and documentation habits.
Clear, proactive communicator (written and verbal).
Experience collaborating with QA/Quality functions on supplier quality requirements.
Experience developing and delivering functional strategy; translating business needs into supply chain/procurement plans.
Experience supporting negotiation of supply agreements with Legal and suppliers.
Ability to work independently and maintain strict ethical standards.