Head of Procurement (Director)

Sunkist Growers; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunkist Growers is seeking a Director of Procurement to establish and lead a centralized procurement function. This high-impact role will shape strategic sourcing decisions, driving cost efficiency and competitive advantage for the organization. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in sourcing, supplier management, and negotiation, alongside strong analytical skills. Join a grower-focused company committed to operational excellence and innovation.

Benefits

Health care and dependent care FSAs

401(k) plan with company match

Paid holiday and vacation benefits

Business casual environment

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive procurement/sourcing experience in manufacturing or industrial organizations.
• Proven success in building and leading a centralized procurement function.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable cost savings and manage supplier risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of four, managing procurement across the portfolio.
• Architect and execute a vision for centralized procurement aligned with strategic goals.
• Negotiate long-term agreements and drive cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Analytical Skills

Supplier Management

Education

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

MBA and/or CPSM certification

Tools

ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.)

Advanced Excel

Job description

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We are a global leader in the citrus industry, home to one of the most recognized brands in fresh produce. Our citrus varieties are sold throughout North America and the Asia-Pacific region, and our licensed products—juices, waters, nuts, and more—reach over 50 countries worldwide.

We’re proudly grower-owned, representing thousands of family farmer businesses. Everything we do is for them.

Under one banner, we’re a $1B portfolio company comprising 10 business units and a workforce 500 strong. As part of our business transformation, we are modernizing operations to drive efficiency, performance, and profitability—while staying true to our grower-focused mission. With a few functions already centralized, Procurement is next!

We’re looking for a Director of Procurement to lead this next chapter.

The Opportunity

As Director of Procurement, in a head-of role, you will be the first to step into this newly created position, tasked with building and leading a new centralized procurement function from the ground up.

You’ll integrate legacy operations across multiple business units into one cohesive, high-performing capability. Reporting directly to the COO and working closely with company leadership, this is a high-impact, high-visibility role.

You will shape and implement the strategy that ensures we procure the right goods and services—at the right value, quality, and speed—to drive operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Your work will result in higher returns for our growers and contributes to the future success of a global, purpose-driven brand.

This is a unique opportunity to be the go-to procurement expert in a head-of role, helping to shape the next era of Sunkist Growers.

What You’ll Do

Procurement Transformation

• Architect and execute a new vision for a centralized procurement function aligned with the company’s strategic goals
• Establish and implement departmental policies, goals, and metrics focused on performance, quality, cost, and value
• Act as a change agent—identifying opportunities, defining and communicating new ways of working, and bringing people along for the ride toward achievement

Procurement Operations

• Lead and mentor a team of four, managing all procurement and purchasing activities (materials, supplies, equipment, services) across the portfolio
• Ensure the cost, quality, and service of acquisitions get the best value for money to achieve operational efficiency and a competitive advantage.
• Drive modernization of procurement tools and processes, including ERP optimization, category management, and spend analytics

Business & Financial Optimization

• Analyze company-wide spend and supply data to drive sourcing decisions and cost-saving opportunities
• Leverage both historical and predictive analytics to support better planning, forecasting, and decision-making
• Develop and lead sourcing strategies that drive cost savings, quality, sustainability, and supplier diversity.
• Negotiate long-term agreements, consolidate suppliers, and strengthen compliance and risk mitigation practices.
• Build collaborative, performance-driven supplier relationships focused on innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor KPIs and address issues to ensure delivery, cost, and quality targets are met.
• In a player-coach role, lead and develop a high-performing team
• Hire, mentor, and retain top talent to develop future leaders
• Cultivate a team environment of engagement, and continuous improvement

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Be the procurement advisor to leadership and stakeholders across business units
• Partner with finance, legal, operations, engineering, and sustainability teams to align sourcing with business goals
• Drive alignment and consensus, even when priorities differ, to move initiatives forward

What You’ll Bring

Core Procurement Experience

• 10+ years of progressive procurement/sourcing experience, ideally in a manufacturing or industrial organization of mid-size or larger
• Proven success building and leading a centralized procurement function
• Deep knowledge of procurement best practices, sourcing processes, and supplier management
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable cost savings, manage supplier risk, and negotiate complex contracts

Business & Operational Acumen

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights
• Understanding of supplier risk, continuity planning, and compliance (environmental, regulatory, trade)
• Financial fluency, including cost modeling and spend analysis
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to create win-win outcomes and close contract deals aligned with business objectives

Leadership & Influence

• Track record of leading high-performing teams and cultivating talent
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills—able to align cross-functional leaders with varying priorities
• Experience leading change, system/process improvements, and transformation initiatives

Interpersonal Skills

• Clear, confident communicator—able to share complex ideas with diverse audiences
• Relationship builder—approachable, collaborative, and trusted across the business
• Exemplify an entrepreneurial spirit with an innovative, solutions-oriented mindset
• Hands-on team player and doer — lead by example

Education & Tech Proficiency

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field required
• MBA and/or CPSM certification a strong plus
• Strong ERP experience (SAP, Oracle, or similar); advanced Excel and comfort with procurement systems

Additional Requirements

• Must reside or be willing to relocate within reasonable driving distance of Santa Clarita, CA. Relocation support will be considered.
• In-office presence required Monday–Friday (we’re a collaborative face time team)

What We Offer

• Annual base compensation range between $141,000 and $225,000 plus bonus. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and skills and may vary from this range.
• Builder role creating a new centralized best practices procurement function
• Head-of function leadership role with visible impact on future growth
• Health care and dependent care FSAs
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid holiday and vacation benefits
• Business casual environment with a mission-driven culture
• A business led with strong human centricity; good people doing good work
• A chance to change to join a growth orientated, profitable, and purpose-driven organization

Come help us build the future of Sunkist Growers. Join a company where your leadership drives results that matter.

DISCLAIMER

This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between Sunkist Growers and its employees.

Sunkist Growers is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, immigration status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. AAP/M/F/V/D

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance, Supply Chain, and Product Management

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Services and Manufacturing

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