Director Strategic Sourcing- Proteins

Cracker Barrel; United States; Presencial; USD 180 000 - 260 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Medical, Rx, Dental and VisionBenefits

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation

Tuition Reimbursement

401k Plan with Company Matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program

35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food &

Exclusive Biscuit Perks

Resumo da oferta

Cracker Barrel is seeking a Director, Strategic Sourcing - Protein to lead enterprise sourcing strategy for animal protein categories including beef, pork, poultry, and processed products. Responsible for category strategy, supplier portfolio design, and cost optimization across core items and innovations.

You will translate market data into actionable sourcing recommendations, drive procurement excellence, and collaborate with Culinary, QA, Demand Planning, Operations, and Finance to support

Qualificações

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in strategic sourcing/procurement with animal protein or complex commodities.
• Experience translating market dynamics into sourcing and risk strategies.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for protein categories (beef, pork, poultry, processed products).
• Lead supplier relationships, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Negotiate complex supplier agreements and pricing structures to deliver value and mitigate risk.
• Monitor markets and develop strategies to mitigate disruption and manage cost pressures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align with business and menu priorities.

Conhecimentos

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Cost modeling

Forecasting

Market analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Agriculture, Animal Science, or related field

Descrição da oferta de emprego

What You'll Do

You'll Make the Moment The Director, Strategic Sourcing - Protein leads the enterprise sourcing strategy for assigned animal protein categories, which may include beef, pork, poultry, and processed protein products. This role is accountable for category strategy, commercial performance, supply continuity, supplier portfolio design, and commodity risk management across core menu items, limited-time offers, and innovation initiatives. Serving as the senior internal and external category leader, the position translates protein market dynamics, production economics, specifications, capacity, and supplier capabilities into recommendations that protect availability, strengthen quality and food safety, optimize total cost, and support long‑range business objectives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned protein categories, balancing cost, quality, availability, innovation, and supply continuity. Lead strategic supplier relationships, performance management, capacity planning, and continuous improvement. Negotiate complex supplier agreements, pricing structures, and commercial terms to deliver value and manage risk. Monitor protein and commodity markets, anticipate supply and cost pressures, and develop strategies to mitigate business disruption. Build a diverse, resilient supplier network to support core menu items, innovation, and limited‑time offerings. Serve as a protein category subject matter expert, providing market insights, cost forecasts, and sourcing recommendations to business leaders. Partner with Culinary, Quality Assurance, Demand Planning, Operations, Distribution, Finance, and Legal to support business and menu priorities. Identify and lead cost savings, value engineering, productivity, and supply‑chain improvement opportunities. Lead supplier escalations and business continuity efforts related to supply, quality, food safety, or service. Some travel may be required.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Agriculture, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, merchandising, or supply chain, including significant ownership of animal protein or other complex commodity categories.
• Deep experience interpreting protein commodity markets, production economics, cutout and index relationships, processing capacity, yields, seasonality, and cost drivers to shape sourcing and risk‑management strategies.
• Experience supporting a multi‑unit restaurant, foodservice, retail, food manufacturing, or protein‑processing environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations, developing strategic suppliers, structuring market‑based pricing, and delivering sustainable value beyond unit‑cost reduction.
• Experience developing category forecasts, scenario models, and contracting or hedging recommendations for volatile commodity exposure preferred.
• Proven ability to lead multiple enterprise initiatives, manage material business risk, and make sound decisions amid ambiguity, volatility, and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, challenge assumptions constructively, and drive enterprise alignment without direct authority.

Certifications

• CPSM, CSCP, or similar supply chain/procurement certifications (or equivalent experience) preferred.

What You'll Bring

Deep knowledge of animal protein sourcing and supply chains, including commodity markets, processing, capacity, yields, specifications, distribution, and cold‑chain requirements. Strong experience leading strategic supplier relationships, complex negotiations, contracts, and pricing agreements. Ability to turn market trends, supplier information, operational needs, and financial data into clear recommendations and action. Experience developing sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, food safety, guest expectations, innovation, supply continuity, and risk. Strong financial and analytical skills, including forecasting, cost modeling, market/index analysis, and scenario planning. Sound judgment and the ability to navigate commodity volatility, supply disruptions, and complex supplier challenges. Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across senior leadership, suppliers, processors, distributors, and industry partners. A disciplined, results‑oriented approach with strong attention to data, commitments, and follow‑through. Focus on You.

Focus on You

• Good Work Deserves Good Pay: Competitive Annual Salary
• Annual Bonus Opportunities Support That Goes Beyond the Clock: Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1
• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
• Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program Grow and Thrive Your Way: Business Resource Groups
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development Culture of Belonging: Support that starts on day one
• Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive
• Recognition programs and employee events that bring us together Invest in Your Future: 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days
• Employee Stock Purchase Program More Perks, Just Because: 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items
• Exclusive Biscuit Perks like discounts on home, travel, cell phones, and more!

A Little About Us

Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been a place to gather around delicious food, abundant servings, unexpected finds, and a warm welcome. Over time, it's become even more - somewhere folks can reconnect and feel at home.

With more than 70,000 team members nationwide, we take pride in our roots always serving up more than a meal.

Cracker Barrel is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or any other class expressly protected by law.

They say you are the company you keepAnd at Cracker Barrel we take that seriously. Bringing together folks who share a sense of pride in their work, and joy in hospitality. While building teams where everyone can see how much their contribution is valued. Because making a difference in someone’s life can feel big—But it’s often the smallest moments that make the deepest impact. We’re all in this together—to make a real difference for our guests, every day. That’s why, at Cracker Barrel, you’re all in good company. Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been a place to gather around delicious food, abundant servings, unexpected finds, and a warm welcome. Over time, it’s become even more—somewhere folks can reconnect and feel at home. With more than 70,000 team members nationwide, we take pride in our roots—always serving up more than a meal.