Senior Sourcing Manager- Animal Proteins

Colonial Group; Ennis (TX); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability protection

401(k) plan with company match

Paid parental leave

Pet insurance

Tuition assistance

Generous PTO

Job summary

Freshpet is seeking a Senior Sourcing Manager to lead the protein category strategy, focusing on animal protein sourcing and cost optimization. The role partners with cross-functional teams to align goals and execute RFQ-to-contract processes.

You will drive supplier performance, risk management, and continuous improvement while applying strong negotiation and data-analysis skills. Hybrid role in Bethlehem, PA or Ennis, TX with ~20% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field
• 10-15+ years direct material sourcing experience for a CPG company, with 8+ years in land animal proteins

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies for the protein category
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align sourcing goals
• Recommend cost-saving proposals and alternative sourcing solutions
• Manage RFQ to supplier selection and robust contracts
• Monitor supplier performance and risk management
• Lead continuous improvement in total cost supply chains
• Establish lean and effective supply chains for purchased materials
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders on projects to improve quality and service
• Lead formal business reviews with key suppliers

Skills

Protein sourcing

Collaboration

Leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Emotional intelligence

Attention to detail

Communication

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Food Science or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to run our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

As Senior Sourcing Manager, you will have responsibility for the development of sourcing strategies for the protein category. You will be a value-added sourcing partner to the business to ensure complete alignment and deep understanding of the business goals in developing sourcing strategies with cross-functional teams. You will recommend cost savings proposals including alternative sourcing solutions and will exercise independent judgement within defined practices to determine appropriate action. This role will specialize in the animal protein category and be recognized as the related category sourcing expert. You will carry out all procurement activities from RFQ to data analysis, supplier selection and implement robust contracts in alignment with company objectives.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Leverage sourcing and procurement best practices to develop and implement strategies for the protein category
• Develop and foster relationships with major suppliers in the marketplace and pursue upstream relationships in the value chain where beneficial.
• Understand and stay abreast of macroeconomic, regulatory, and capacity trends which could impact the business. Take action to manage risk and harness opportunities.
• Manage all aspects of category including:
  • strategy development and execution
  • negotiation and contracting supply agreements
  • spend analysis and cost management
  • capacity management and expansion
  • risk management
  • supplier relationship and performance management
  • continuous improvement
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to initiate and lead projects to improve quality and service, lower cost and/or increase capacity.
• Establish lean and effective total cost supply chains for purchased materials
• Collaborate with legal and business stakeholders to protect Freshpet’s intellectual property and any economic benefits realized resultant to joint development efforts
• Establish, measure and report on supplier performance KPI’s
• Organize and lead formal business reviews with key suppliers
• Collaborate with stakeholders on dispute resolution

Education/Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Food Science or equivalent experience
• 10-15+ years of experience in direct material sourcing for a CPG company operating in a direct manufacturing environment of which 8+ years were in sourcing land animal proteins

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive protein sourcing experience with a heavy concentration in poultry
• Ability to expertly collaborate with and influence people of different levels inside/outside the company as a team, working toward common goals and objectives.
• Advanced leadership, relationship management, project management and data analysis skills
• Simultaneously manage multiple projects while balancing short term vs. long term needs
• Extensive negotiation, conflict management, and problem-solving skills
• Emotional intelligence to take full responsibility for decisions and results even when all elements are not under individual direct control
• Strong sense of urgency and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Extremely high standards of excellence and quality-oriented mindset
• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Hybrid position in Bethlehem, PA or Ennis, TX
• 20% Travel

What We Offer

The range for this position is: $145,000 – 170,000

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”).

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate, and preserve a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we cannot sponsor visas.