National Director of Procurement – Food

Lock Search Group; Calgary; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lock Search Group is seeking a National Director of Procurement for a Calgary-based food manufacturing and distribution client. The role leads national sourcing strategy, harmonizes decentralized purchasing, and drives efficiency across operations.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in procurement leadership, strong negotiation and supplier management skills, and a track record of developing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable results in a food industry context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, operations management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement or purchasing management in leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or national-scale purchasing activities.
• Experience in food manufacturing, food distribution, protein processing, or a related industry is a significant asset.
• Strong skills in negotiation, supplier management, and contract administration.
• Excellent analytical abilities and a strong aptitude for using data to support decision-making.
• Proven experience developing and implementing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business results.
• Significant experience in managing and developing teams, including supervising managers and cross-functional groups.
• SCMP designation or another relevant procurement or supply chain certification is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy a national sourcing strategy aligned with business objectives and priorities.
• Lead the transformation of decentralized purchasing activities into an integrated, nationally harmonized procurement model.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and supplier contracts to secure best terms.
• Develop and maintain long-term strategic relationships with key suppliers and partners.
• Establish a procurement governance framework, including policies, processes, controls, and standards.
• Develop risk management strategies related to raw materials, supply, and suppliers.
• Optimize inventory and working capital through effective demand planning and procurement practices.
• Coordinate purchasing and inventory management decisions across business units to maximize synergies and purchasing power.
• Develop and track procurement performance indicators, including savings, supplier performance, inventory efficiency, and service levels.
• Work with operations, sales, finance, QA, logistics, and supply chain teams to achieve company objectives.
• Support strategic initiatives, growth projects, and acquisitions with procurement and category management expertise.
• Provide leadership, development, and engagement for teams under their responsibility, promoting procurement best practices.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Contract administration

Strategic sourcing

Team leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management

SCMP designation

Job description

National Director of Procurement – Food

Calgary, AB (On-site)

Our client, a nationally recognized company in food manufacturing and distribution, is seeking a National Director of Procurement. Reporting to senior management, this person will play a strategic role in optimizing the organization’s sourcing and procurement activities. They will be responsible for defining and deploying a national procurement vision, developing sustainable supplier partnerships, and implementing practices that promote operational efficiency, optimal inventory management, and company growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy a national sourcing strategy aligned with business objectives and organizational priorities.
• Lead the transformation of decentralized purchasing activities into an integrated, nationally harmonized procurement model.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and supplier contracts to secure the best terms (price, quality, service, and payment conditions).
• Develop and maintain long-term strategic relationships with key suppliers and business partners.
• Establish a procurement governance framework, including the policies, processes, controls, and standards applicable to all operating units.
• Develop risk management strategies related to raw materials, supply, and suppliers.
• Optimize inventory and working capital through effective demand planning and high-performing procurement practices.
• Coordinate purchasing and inventory management decisions across business units to maximize synergies and the organization’s purchasing power.
• Develop and track procurement performance indicators, including savings generated, supplier performance, inventory efficiency, and service levels.
• Work closely with the operations, sales, finance, quality assurance, logistics, and supply chain teams to achieve company objectives.
• Support strategic initiatives, growth projects, and acquisitions by contributing procurement and category management expertise.
• Provide leadership, development, and engagement for the teams under their responsibility, while promoting the adoption of procurement best practices.

Desired Profile

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, operations management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement or purchasing management in leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or national-scale purchasing activities.
• Experience in food manufacturing, food distribution, protein processing, or a related industry is a significant asset.
• Strong skills in negotiation, supplier management, and contract administration.
• Excellent analytical abilities and a strong aptitude for using data to support decision-making.
• Proven experience developing and implementing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business results.
• Significant experience in managing and developing teams, including supervising managers and cross-functional groups.
• SCMP designation or another relevant procurement or supply chain certification is an asset.