Associate Director, Protein

HelloFresh; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading meal kit delivery service in Toronto is seeking an experienced Associate Director of Protein Procurement to develop and execute a sourcing strategy that optimizes supplier partnerships and drives cost efficiency. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of experience in procurement, strong leadership skills, and a passion for transforming procurement into a competitive advantage. This role provides opportunities for career growth and attractive benefits including health and wellness programs.

Benefits

Box Discount

Health & Dental benefits

Generous vacation and PTO

Parental leave top-up program

Career development opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain, with a focus on protein categories.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations and cost savings delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive protein sourcing strategy.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of category managers.
• Build and nurture strategic supplier relationships.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Agribusiness, or a related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

We are looking for an Associate Director of Protein Procurement with a proven track record in driving strategic sourcing initiatives, optimizing supplier partnerships, and leading high-performing teams.

This role will be responsible for shaping and executing our protein procurement strategy across multiple categories, ensuring supply continuity, quality, and cost efficiency. You will lead a team of sourcing professionals and collaborate cross-functionally to unlock value, improve pricing structures, and identify innovative sourcing opportunities.

You are passionate about transforming procurement into a competitive advantage—leveraging analytics, market insights, and strong supplier relationships to drive sustainable savings and long-term growth.

You will…

• Develop and execute a comprehensive protein sourcing strategy to support business goals around cost optimization, supply continuity, quality, and innovation
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of category managers and sourcing professionals focused on protein procurement
• Build and nurture strategic supplier relationships to enhance performance, foster innovation, and ensure long-term supply security
• Drive contract negotiations and cost reduction initiatives across protein categories, leveraging market insights and competitive sourcing tactics
• Own and manage the protein procurement budget for your respective categories, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting in alignment with finance and executive leadership
• Monitor global and domestic protein markets, analyze commodity trends, and proactively develop risk management strategies to mitigate volatility and supply disruptions
• Partner cross-functionally with Procurement Operations, FSQA, Culinary, and Brand leadership to align procurement strategies with business needs and brand standards
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support new product launches, value engineering, and process improvement opportunities
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier performance, team output, and cost savings to ensure delivery of organizational objectives
• Support implementation of procurement systems and tools to improve process efficiency, data accuracy, and stakeholder visibility
• Champion data-driven decision-making and robust business intelligence practices within the team and across procurement functions
• Lead Business Reviews with key suppliers to monitor performance, address gaps, and identify future partnership opportunities
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and food safety standards in all sourcing decisions and supplier engagements

You are…

• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect day-to-day execution with long-term sourcing and business goals
• Proven people leader who develops talent, builds strong teams, and creates an inclusive, high-performance culture
• Strong negotiator who is confident managing complex supplier agreements and driving cost savings without compromising quality or relationships
• Highly analytical with a data-driven approach to problem-solving, decision-making, and continuous improvement
• Strong collaborator who works effectively across departments—especially with culinary, quality, operations, and finance teams
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Customer- and quality-obsessed, with a passion for delivering products that meet or exceed expectations
• Driven by results, with a clear focus on delivering measurable impact through sourcing initiatives and team performance

You have…

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Agribusiness, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain, with a strong focus on protein categories
• Proven leadership experience managing teams, developing talent, and driving cross-functional initiatives
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, cost savings delivery, and strategic sourcing execution in a fast-paced environment
• This position's essential functions demand the performance of the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Prolonged periods working at a desk and on a computer
• Read information on a computer screen and inputting data into a computer system

You’ll get…

Box Discount - Amazing discounts on 1 box per week! 75% discount on weekly HelloFresh and Chefs Plate meal kits AND 50% off weekly Factor meal box.
Health & Wellness - Health & Dental benefits from day 1, a Health Spending Account, unlimited access to the Headspace app to meet your self-care needs, and 25% discount on GoodLife fitness memberships!
Vacation & PTO - Time off is also an important part of self-care! We offer generous vacation and PTO to help you create a good work-life balance.
Family Benefits - A parental leave top-up program for expectant parents.
Growth & Development - We support your career progression, provide development opportunities, and invest in your continued learning through our organization wide L&D fund.
Work Hard & Have Fun - From team socials to engaging company days, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to experience the fun!
Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives - With impactful ERG’s like FreshPride, Women Empowered and LIMES, we are committed to our diversity, equity & inclusion efforts.
Food Puns - this one is kind of a big dill if you haven’t already noticed. We even have some punny meeting room names!

Working Conditions
It’s no surprise that as a food company, we use many ingredients that may be considered common allergens (i.e. peanuts, tree nuts, milk, etc.). Whether this role is based out of our headquarters or one of our distribution centers, it is possible that you may be exposed to such allergens in this role. If you have any concerns with being exposed to any particular food ingredients, including meat, please disclose this during the hiring process.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.