Senior Procurement Manager - Raw Proteins, Meats, & Packaging

My client is seeking an experienced procurement leader to oversee the sourcing of proteins, meats, and packaging materials, including both consumer-facing and direct-to-consumer (DTC) formats. This role will be instrumental in crafting and executing procurement strategies that ensure quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness across our supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and roll out procurement strategies for proteins, meats, and packaging that align with business objectives around quality, sustainability, and cost control.
• Research and assess potential vendors, evaluating their capabilities, quality assurance processes, and environmental practices.
• Lead negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and long-term value while maintaining supply chain reliability.
• Establish and nurture strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure a steady flow of high-quality materials.
• Track supplier performance metrics and ensure adherence to agreements.
• Quickly address and resolve supplier issues to avoid production delays.
• Source and evaluate pricing for both branded packaging (bags, cans, boxes) and DTC shipping materials (insulated liners, cold chain components, etc.).
• Collaborate with Product and Marketing teams to ensure packaging meets brand and customer expectations.
• Stay ahead of trends in sustainable packaging and champion eco-conscious solutions.
• Build and manage a detailed procurement calendar to support timely acquisition of ingredients and materials.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align sourcing with product launches, marketing campaigns, and seasonal demand.
• Anticipate potential delays and implement contingency plans to maintain delivery timelines.
• Monitor global trends in protein, meat, and packaging markets to inform sourcing decisions.
• Identify and mitigate risks to ensure uninterrupted supply.
• Conduct cost bench marking and pricing analysis to maintain competitiveness.
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure all materials meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Promote ethical sourcing and environmentally responsible practices in line with company values.
• Partner with R&D, QA, Production, and Marketing to align procurement with product needs and brand identity.
• Collaborate with Finance to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support innovation by sourcing new materials for product development.

What You Bring to the Table

• 5+ years of experience in sourcing perishable goods; experience in pet food is a major advantage.
• Demonstrated success in managing supplier relationships and procurement timelines.
• Strong documentation skills and experience developing SOP's for procurement processes.
• Deep knowledge of protein and meat markets, as well as packaging supply chains.
• Comfortable in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on empathetic and effective communication.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and maintain clarity and transparency in all communication.