Senior Procurement Manager - Raw Proteins, Meats, & Packaging

Smalls; Mission (KS); Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager to lead sourcing efforts for raw proteins, meats, and packaging. This role involves developing strategic sourcing plans, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with sustainability standards. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and have a passion for procurement, this is the perfect opportunity to make a significant impact while working with a mission-driven team dedicated to enhancing the lives of pets. Join a company that values its people and offers competitive benefits, including a fully remote work culture and unlimited PTO.

Benefits

Fully paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance

4-day work week

Unlimited PTO

Free cat food every month

Qualifications

• 5+ years in procurement, especially with perishable products.
• Strong supplier relationships and procurement calendar management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for raw proteins and packaging.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships to ensure quality supply.

Skills

Supplier Relationship Management

Negotiation Skills

Market Analysis

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Related Field

Tools

Procurement Software

Data Analysis Tools

Job description

Smalls is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager – Raw Proteins, Meats, & Packaging to lead our efforts in sourcing raw proteins, meats, and packaging materials, including consumer-facing and direct-to-consumer (DTC) packaging. This role will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies to secure high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective raw proteins, meats, and packaging materials.

What You’ll Do:

1. Strategic Sourcing:

   • Develop and implement sourcing strategies for raw proteins, meats, and packaging materials (consumer-facing and DTC), ensuring alignment with company goals for quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency.

   • Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, conducting thorough assessments of their capabilities, quality standards, and sustainability practices.

   • Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to achieve optimal value while maintaining quality and supply chain resilience.

2. Supplier Relationship Management:

   • Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, fostering collaboration and ensuring consistent supply of high-quality ingredients and packaging materials.

   • Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, and compliance with contractual agreements.

   • Address and resolve any supplier-related issues promptly to minimize disruptions to production.

3. Packaging Sourcing & Pricing:

   • Source and price consumer-facing packaging materials (e.g., bags, cans, boxes) and DTC packaging materials (e.g., shipping boxes, insulation, cold chain materials).

   • Collaborate with Marketing and Product Development teams to ensure packaging aligns with brand standards and customer expectations.

   • Stay informed about innovations in sustainable packaging and drive initiatives to reduce environmental impact.

4. Procurement Calendar Development:

   • Develop and maintain a comprehensive procurement calendar to ensure timely sourcing and delivery of raw proteins, meats, and packaging materials.

   • Coordinate with Production, R&D, and Marketing teams to align procurement activities with product launch schedules, promotional campaigns, and seasonal demand fluctuations.

   • Proactively identify potential bottlenecks and implement solutions to ensure on-time delivery.

5. Market Analysis & Risk Management:

   • Stay informed about global market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain risks related to raw proteins, meats, and packaging materials.

   • Proactively identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.

   • Conduct regular benchmarking and cost analysis to ensure competitive pricing and value.

6. Sustainability & Compliance:

   • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all sourced ingredients and packaging materials meet regulatory requirements and company standards for quality and safety.

   • Drive initiatives to source sustainable and ethically produced raw proteins, meats, and packaging materials, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

   • Work closely with R&D, Quality Assurance, Production, and Marketing teams to understand ingredient and packaging requirements and ensure alignment with product formulations and brand standards.

   • Partner with the Finance team to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.

   • Support new product development by sourcing innovative and high-quality ingredients and packaging materials.

What we’ll love about you:

• You have worked in procurement with perishable products. At least 5 years is preferred. Perishable pet food is a HUGE plus!

• You have a proven track record in the role’s responsibilities:

  • You have strong supplier relationships and the ability to develop and manage a procurement calendar to ensure timely and efficient operations.

  • You have managed and created clear documentation and SOPs for all Procurement Processes.

  • You have a deep understanding of global protein and meat markets, packaging supply chains, and the ability to manage complex procurement processes.

• You enjoy working in fast-paced environments, where there is always a new challenge. You understand that these environments demand high attention to detail and strong communication skills to meet ambitious deadlines.

• You know how to build and maintain trust in your working relationships with both internal and external key stakeholders. Your communication leads with empathy, especially in challenging conversations.

• You prioritize timely, clear, and kind communication. You know how crucial strong communication is when managing multiple stakeholders at varied levels of the organization.

What you’ll love about us:

• Mission-Driven Company: We love cats and we're here to make nine lives ten.

• People-Driven Company: We treat our people like people; we're committed to Smalls, and we work hard but also respect everyone’s lives outside of work.

• Data-Driven Culture: We love using data to guide decision-making where appropriate, but we also know when to move quickly and go with our gut.

• Competitive Salary: Make some $$$.

• Very Competitive Benefits: Fully paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance. 4-day work week. Unlimited PTO.

• Fully Remote Office & Culture: Our team is spread across the US day to day, but we travel for department & company off-sites and retreats.

• Free Product: Free cat food every month.