Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing
Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing to oversee both Direct and Indirect Procurement categories for our leading Food & Beverage Manufacturing company based in Orlando, Florida. The ideal candidate will manage the sourcing of raw materials, packaging, ingredients, equipment, and services, ensuring a seamless procurement process that supports production goals, cost control, and operational efficiency. This role requires strong negotiation skills, supply chain expertise, and a deep understanding of the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Procurement:
Lead the sourcing and procurement of raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and supplies required for food and beverage production, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with industry standards.
Collaborate with production and R&D teams to align procurement strategies with manufacturing schedules, product development, and quality requirements.
Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers, negotiating contracts, terms, and pricing to optimize cost efficiencies and product availability.
Conduct regular market research to monitor industry trends, cost fluctuations, and new product innovations, ensuring the company remains competitive in a dynamic market.
Ensure continuity of supply by monitoring inventory levels, forecasting demand, and mitigating supply chain disruptions.
Indirect Procurement:
Oversee procurement of non-production related goods and services, including capital equipment, maintenance services, utilities, office supplies, logistics, and IT support.
Identify cost-saving opportunities through process optimization, supplier consolidation, and renegotiation of existing contracts.
Manage relationships with service providers, ensuring service levels and quality standards are met.
Supplier Relationship Management:
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, fostering strategic partnerships to ensure reliability and innovation in the supply chain.
Conduct performance reviews with suppliers, measuring key metrics such as quality, delivery times, and cost efficiency.
Address and resolve any supplier-related issues, including quality concerns, delays, or contract non-compliance.
Procurement Strategy & Process Optimization:
Develop and implement procurement strategies for both direct and indirect categories, aligning with the company's goals and production needs.
Continuously assess and improve procurement processes to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product availability.
Implement and oversee inventory management practices to minimize waste, optimize stock levels, and reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions.
Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety, health, and environmental regulations, as well as corporate governance policies.
Monitor and manage supplier compliance with industry standards, certifications (e.g., ISO, HACCP), and contractual terms.
Mitigate risks related to price volatility, supplier instability, and supply chain disruptions by diversifying sources and building contingency plans.
Reporting & Analytics:
Develop and maintain procurement reports, tracking key metrics and KPIs to evaluate supplier performance, procurement efficiency, and cost-saving initiatives.
Provide regular updates and strategic insights to senior management on procurement activities, opportunities for cost savings, and potential risks.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Food Science, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, preferably in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
Strong understanding of direct procurement (ingredients, raw materials, packaging) and indirect procurement (services, equipment, utilities).
Proven experience with negotiations, supplier management, and cost reduction strategies.
In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations, quality control standards, and industry certifications (e.g., GMP, HACCP).
Strong analytical skills and experience with procurement software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and departments.
Detail-oriented with a strong ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
CPSM, CPM, or CSCP certification.
Experience with global sourcing and managing international suppliers.
Familiarity with sustainability initiatives and ethical sourcing in the food and beverage sector.
Knowledge of inventory management and supply chain optimization techniques.
