SUMMARY:
The Director of Sourcing and Procurement leads the company’s domestic and global sourcing, supplier management, and procurement operations to ensure cost-effective acquisition of ingredients, packaging, raw materials, MRO and services that meet the company’s quality, food safety, sustainability, and delivery standards. This role is a core member of the senior leadership team and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.
This position plays a critical part in aligning sourcing strategies with the company’s business goals, product development pipeline, and operational efficiency — particularly within the premium and private-label pet food markets.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
-
Develop and implement comprehensive sourcing and procurement strategies aligned with company growth, profitability, and innovation objectives
-
Partner with executive leadership, R&D, and cross-functional teams to align sourcing strategies with product development, capacity planning, and operational needs
-
Contribute to senior leadership initiatives, including strategic planning, business reviews, and company-wide decision-making
-
Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team, including organizational design, talent development, and performance management
-
Identify, qualify, and manage a global supplier base; establish strategic partnerships to support innovation, quality, and supply continuity
-
Holds final decision authority for supplier selection, sourcing strategies, and major procurement contracts.
-
Establish and monitor supplier performance metrics and scorecards to drive continuous improvement in quality, delivery, and sustainability
-
Owns the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of procurement processes, systems, and policies to improve efficiency and scalability
-
Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and R&D teams to resolve supply challenges and ensure compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory standards
-
Develop and manage departmental budgets, cost reduction initiatives, and key performance indicators; present results and recommendations to senior leadership
-
Analyze commodity markets, global supply risks, and economic trends to proactively mitigate disruptions and support business continuity
-
Drive cost savings through strategic sourcing, value engineering, and total cost of ownership analysis
-
Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements, including FDA, AAFCO, and USDA guidelines
-
Champion sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives, including supplier compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards
-
Support supply chain traceability, supplier diversity, and corporate sustainability reporting initiatives
-
Ensures sourcing strategies are effectively executed to maintain service levels, prevent production disruptions, and support plant performance
-
Establish and monitor performance metrics related to cost savings, supplier performance, service levels, and team effectiveness
-
Owns escalation and resolution of critical supply disruptions and supplier-related risks impacting business continuity
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Leads and directs the sourcing and procurement team, providing strategic guidance and day-to-day oversight. Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; setting performance expectations; appraising performance; coaching and developing team members; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing employee concerns while resolving issues in a timely and effective manner. Additionally, fosters a collaborative, high-performance culture and ensures alignment across cross-functional teams.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
-
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Food Science, Business Administration, or a related field required.
-
MBA or advanced degree preferred.
-
CPSM, CPIM, or equivalent professional certification a plus.
-
10+ years of progressive sourcing, procurement, or supply chain leadership experience, preferably in food manufacturing, pet food, animal nutrition, or consumer packaged goods.
-
Proven success in managing global supplier networks across ingredient and packaging categories, and leading cross-functional teams.
-
Strong negotiation, contract management, and cost-reduction track record in a commodity-intensive manufacturing environment.
-
Experience with FSMA, FDA, and AAFCO regulatory frameworks, or equivalent food/feed manufacturing compliance environments.
-
Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, ERP systems (SAP), and digital procurement tools (e-sourcing, spend analytics platforms).
-
Experience working with or within German-owned or European multinational organizations is advantageous.
Computer and Technology Skills:
The successful candidate will be proficient in MS Office applications, Minitab, SAP or other ERP systems
Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization. German language speaking skills is another advantage.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and ability to apply concepts such as fractions: percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit, and talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 15 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Allergen Awareness
Products produced in this facility may contain the following allergens: Egg, Shellfish, Fish, Gluten.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to create a contract, nor are they to be construed to constitute contractual obligations of any kind or a contract of employment between Saturn Petcare Inc. and any of its employees. The provisions of job descriptions have been developed at the discretion of management and may be amended or cancelled at any time by Saturn Petcare Inc. with or without notice.
Employment with saturn petcare inc. is voluntarily entered into, and the employee is free to resign at will at any time, with or without cause. Similarly, Saturn Petcare Inc. may terminate the employment relationship at will at any time, with or without notice or cause, so long as there is not violation of applicable federal or state law.
