Director of Strategic Sourcing – Procurement

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Spearhead, enhance, and expand the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Operations teams, fostering functional growth in strategic negotiation, supplier management, cost modeling, risk management, and cross-functional execution.

• Cultivate organizational capability by defining roles, responsibilities, decision-making authority, and collaborative workflows. Mentor team talent through coaching, performance management, and change management initiatives.

• Collaborate with leadership to define clear KPIs and accountability frameworks to enhance performance. Assist with executive communications regarding supply risks and sourcing strategies.

• Work alongside cross-functional leaders in QA, Trade, Operations, Innovation, and Sustainability to synchronize sourcing and procurement priorities with company growth, margin, operational, and risk management goals.

• Partner with your supervisor to formulate a strategic plan for the department as the company grows, ensuring consistent priorities between procurement and sourcing.

• Take ownership of the sourcing and procurement performance agenda, which includes cost savings and avoidance, inflation mitigation, supplier leverage, working capital enhancement, risk reduction, supply assurance, and supplier-enabled innovation.

• Collaborate with FP&A on margin forecasting, inflation assumptions, commodity outlooks, annual operation plans, EBITDA optimization, and working capital objectives.

• Formulate and implement category and multi-year strategies aligned with growth, margin targets, EBITDA optimization, sustainability objectives, innovation priorities, and supply continuity goals.

• Develop unique sourcing models that provide a competitive edge, including direct sourcing, grower relationships, regional sourcing networks, strategic partnerships, exclusive supply agreements, and more.

• Assess upstream and long-term supply opportunities, such as grower-direct models, dedicated acreage, tolling arrangements, co-investment options, and make-versus-buy decisions that enhance control, transparency, cost, quality, and assurance.

• Broaden the supply base to minimize climate, geographic, and crop risk exposure.

• Ensure transparency and accountability for addressable spend across assigned direct, indirect, and operational categories, prioritizing sourcing strategies based on business impact, risk, margin potential, sustainability influence, and long-term strategic significance.

• Collaborate with the Sustainability team to promote transparency, organic resilience, responsible sourcing, social and environmental enhancements while ensuring continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, quality, and operational flexibility.

• Review and sanction major supplier agreements and strategic contracts.

• Maintain rigorous negotiation processes and commercial discipline across categories.

• Supervise supplier segmentation, performance management, scorecards, and quarterly business reviews to ensure accountability and continuity of supply.

• Create and continually refine scalable procurement processes and governance frameworks, including policies, workflows, effective MRP usage, demand and supply alignment, purchase order accuracy, spend control, and compliance with negotiated agreements.

• Oversee purchasing teams managing the complete purchase order lifecycle, purchasing controls, issue resolution, service-level performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensure synchronization between procurement, demand planning, and S&OP.

• Monitor and manage key performance indicators such as cost savings, cost avoidance, OTIF, inventory turns, quality performance, and supplier compliance.

• Assess inventory health, shelf-life exposure, and risks associated with excess and obsolete stock to reduce waste in the supply chain.

• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to proactively oversee supplier performance and implement corrective actions.

• Formulate sourcing and procurement plans that integrate with demand planning, supply planning, innovation timelines, commercialization requirements, and annual operation plan assumptions, ensuring alignment with business needs and growth.

• Lead long-term planning for essential materials and suppliers, considering capacity planning, supply availability, crop forecasts, supplier readiness, and risk mitigation requirements.

• Utilize market intelligence, commodity forecasts, sustainability data, and cost models to inform category strategies and business recommendations.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing and Procurement within the food or CPG sector.

• Proven track record in leading and developing procurement and sourcing teams.

• Preferably direct experience in organic ingredient sourcing and agricultural supply chains.

• Strong background in commercial negotiation and supplier strategy.

• Familiarity with cross-functional MRP processes and the ability to interpret data and identify improvement opportunities.

• Experienced in change management; adept at building or transforming procurement organizations in growth contexts.

• Deep knowledge of food safety, regulatory requirements, and organic certification standards.

• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and executive leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with a mission-driven approach.

• Up to 20% travel required: This role is primarily remote, but occasional in-person meetings with the company or department may occur several times a year, with travel anticipated a few times each quarter.

• A genuine passion for enhancing childhood nutrition for a healthier and happier planet.

• A desire to contribute to a dynamic, high-growth, purpose-driven work environment.

• Proven ability to thrive in ambiguous situations, deeply comprehend business needs, develop cohesive strategies, and make high-judgment decisions.

• Previous experience in cross-functional collaboration between Sustainability and Sourcing/Procurement is preferred.

• Must reside in the United States to be eligible for this position.

• Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote-first work environment

• Annual Bonus

• 401(k) program with a 4% company match after three months

• New Hire Remote Life Stipend and annual Nourish and Nurture Allowance

• Monthly stipend for Cell and Internet

• Quarterly Farm-to-Fridge home deliveries and Employee Discounts

• New Parents: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave, Baby Steps Back To Work program, three months’ supply of Once Upon a Farm products, and breast milk shipping service along with support for traveling after birth during breastfeeding.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off

• Paid Volunteer Time

• Paid Time Off for civic responsibilities, including jury duty and voting in local, state, and national elections

• 100% coverage of Medical Insurance for the employee on select plans, with additional plan options at a reduced cost for the employee

• 100% coverage of Vision and Dental Insurance for the employee and dependents

• Life insurance

• Flexible spending account and Health Savings Accounts for applicable plans

• Employee assistance program (EAP)

• All other benefits, leaves, and insurance as mandated by law, based on your specific residence

• And so much more!