Procurement Manager

Sesh Products; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Comprehensive health benefits

Flexible time off

In-office collaborative environment

Job summary

A rapidly scaling consumer brand in Austin is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead procurement processes. The role includes managing direct and indirect procurement, developing category strategies, and maintaining supplier relationships. Ideal candidates have 5-8 years of experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a background in regulated industries. Join an innovative team that offers a competitive salary, stock options, and comprehensive benefits, all while fostering a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., nicotine, food, beverage, nutraceuticals, pharma-adjacent) strongly preferred.
• Experience managing both Direct and Indirect procurement categories is required.
• Proven ability to build or mature procurement functions in high-growth environments.
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings and improved terms.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration across Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Quality and Regulatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of Direct and Indirect procurement, from strategy development to execution.
• Manage relationships with contract manufacturers for quality and service levels.
• Categorize suppliers and lead RFPs/RFQs for negotiation.
• Own packaging, testing labs, and regulatory compliance, plus inbound/outbound logistics support.
• Indirect Procurement oversight for trade marketing, IT, travel, and professional services.
• Define core procurement processes and negotiate favorable terms to optimize cash flow.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Procurement experience

Strategic sourcing

Regulated Industry

Education

5–8+ years of experience in Procurement or Strategic Sourcing

Job description

About the Role

Sesh is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead and oversee 100% of the company’s Direct and Indirect spend while building scalable procurement capabilities. This is a high-impact, hands-on role ideal for a strategic builder who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and can bring structure, rigor, and value to a complex and evolving spend portfolio within a regulated consumer products industry. This role combines hands-on category ownership with the responsibility to design and scale Sesh’s procurement operating model.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Procurement Ownership
  • Lead all aspects of Direct and Indirect procurement, from strategy development through execution, supplier management, and performance evaluation.
  • Establish visibility into total company spend, develop category strategies, and align procurement initiatives with company growth, margin, and cash flow objectives.
• Direct Procurement (Product & Manufacturing)
  • Manage relationships with contract manufacturers and co-manufacturers to ensure capacity, quality, and service levels meet current and future demand.
  • Source and manage raw materials and ingredients for nicotine pouch products, including active ingredients, excipients, flavors, and packaging materials.
  • Own primary and secondary packaging categories (e.g., cans, lids, labels, cartons, shipping cases), driving standardization and cost efficiencies where feasible.
  • Select and manage third-party testing laboratories and related services to support quality assurance, stability testing, and regulatory compliance.
  • Support inbound and outbound logistics strategies as they relate to supplier and manufacturing partnerships.
• Indirect Procurement (Growth & Enabling Spend)
  • Own Indirect spend categories including trade marketing and point-of-sale materials, IT and software subscriptions, and travel.
  • Expand oversight to additional Indirect categories such as professional services (legal, regulatory, HR/recruiting), facilities and office services, logistics/3PL providers, and people-related vendors.
  • Rationalize and consolidate vendors, establish spend guardrails, and enable internal teams to procure efficiently while maintaining control and compliance.
• Supplier Strategy & Performance Management
  • Categorize suppliers (Strategic, Preferred, Transactional) and define the right engagement model, cadence, and expectations for each.
  • Lead RFPs/RFQs, negotiate contracts, and implement new supply routes where they improve quality, cost, service, or risk.
  • Establish supplier KPIs and reviews across Quality, Cost, and Service, and partner with internal teams to address issues and unlock opportunities.
• Process, Terms & Cash Flow Optimization
  • Define, document, and implement core procurement processes, including sourcing thresholds, approval workflows, and vendor onboarding standards.
  • Improve cash flow through negotiation of favorable commercial terms (e.g., payment terms, MOQs, rebates, price protections) while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
  • Partner closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, and Marketing teams to ensure procurement enables speed, compliance, and scalable growth.

Required Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of experience in Procurement or Strategic Sourcing, preferably within Consumer Goods; experience in regulated industries (e.g., nicotine, food, beverage, nutraceuticals, pharma-adjacent) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing both Direct (contract manufacturing, raw materials, packaging, labs) and Indirect procurement categories.
• Proven ability to build or significantly mature procurement functions in high-growth or entrepreneurial environments, with an understanding of best-in-class procurement practices.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of delivering value through cost savings, improved terms, and enhanced service levels.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience partnering across Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Quality, and Regulatory teams.

Work Style & Attributes

• Bias for action: Moves quickly, leverages data, and prioritizes execution over perfection.
• Comfort with ambiguity: Able to build structure in evolving environments and adapt priorities as the business scales.
• Regulated-industry mindset: Balances speed and innovation with compliance, documentation, and operational rigor.
• Hands-on and strategic: Equally effective developing long-term category strategies and managing day-to-day execution, negotiations, and issue resolution.

Why Join Sesh?

• High-impact leadership role within a rapidly scaling consumer brand
• Fast-paced, collaborative culture that values ownership and accountability
• Competitive compensation package, including stock options
• Comprehensive health benefits and flexible time off
• Austin, TX–based team with an in-office collaborative environment