Strategic Sourcing Lead: Oils, Grains & Ingredients

heinz; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Heinz is seeking an accomplished procurement leader to own and advance category strategy across edible oils, grains, flour, pasta, components, and related ingredients. You will translate business priorities into strategic sourcing, manage supplier relationships at the executive level, and drive cost, continuity, and innovation while leading a procurement team.

The role demands strong negotiation, analytics, and leadership skills, with experience guiding cross-functional initiatives and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Minimum 6+ years of procurement, sourcing, or category management experience.
• Proven ability to develop and execute category strategies.
• Experience leading complex negotiations and supplier relationships.
• Experience managing direct reports and talent development.
• Strong financial, analytical, project management, and change leadership skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead through ambiguity.
• Excellent executive communication and business storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for oils, grains, flour, pasta, components, and related commodity ingredient categories.
• Translate business priorities into procurement strategies to support growth, margin, supply continuity, innovation, and operations.
• Monitor markets, geopolitical/regulatory trends, and supplier capabilities to identify risks and opportunities.
• Establish category roadmaps with productivity, risk mitigation, sustainability, and innovation objectives.
• Lead strategic supplier segmentation and relationship programs.
• Lead complex sourcing events, negotiations, contract development, and supplier selection decisions.
• Drive total cost improvements through market intelligence, supplier collaboration, specification optimization, and negotiations.
• Develop sourcing strategies to improve competitiveness while ensuring supply continuity.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, risk-sharing, pricing structures, and long-term partnerships.
• Serve as executive relationship owner for key suppliers.
• Conduct supplier reviews, performance discussions, and capability assessments.
• Build partnerships supporting innovation, sustainability, and operational improvements.
• Resolve escalated commercial, supply, quality, and contractual issues.
• Lead, coach, and develop procurement managers, buyers, and category specialists.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership.
• Promote best-practice sourcing methodologies across procurement.
• Lead initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and business units to align on strategy and execution.

Job description

Heinz is seeking an accomplished procurement leader to own and advance category strategy across edible oils, grains, flour, pasta, components, and related ingredients. You will translate business priorities into strategic sourcing, manage supplier relationships at the executive level, and drive cost, continuity, and innovation while leading a procurement team.

The role demands strong negotiation, analytics, and leadership skills, with experience guiding cross-functional initiatives and