Strategic Sourcing Manager – Food & Packaging

Judge Direct Placement; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement is seeking a Sourcing Manager for a manufacturing client in the Knoxville, TN area. The role focuses on sourcing ingredients, packaging, and related materials to support product development and operations.

Responsibilities include evaluating supplier quotations, monitoring market trends, maintaining records, and negotiating terms to drive cost efficiency while ensuring quality and compliance with GMP and food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Prior food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food service products.

Responsibilities

• Source ingredients, packaging, and other materials required to support product development and ongoing operations.
• Solicit and evaluate supplier quotations to secure the best overall value based on cost, quality, service, and delivery performance.
• Monitor market trends and commodity activity that may impact material availability and pricing.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, cost data, and supplier information, ensuring timely communication of pricing updates to key stakeholders.
• Analyze purchasing and market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities and strengthen supplier negotiations.
• Develop and maintain a reliable supplier network, including primary and secondary sources, to ensure continuity of supply.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements to support business objectives and cost reduction efforts.
• Review supplier pricing to ensure compliance with established contracts, agreements, and cost structures.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and business partners.
• Evaluate incoming materials for quality and specification compliance, coordinating substitutions or corrective actions when needed.
• Support quality assurance initiatives by helping ensure ingredients, packaging, and finished products meet established standards.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and GMP requirements.
• Investigate and resolve material quality issues, supplier performance concerns, and non-conformance situations.
• Assist in reviewing customer feedback and collaborating with cross-functional teams to address product or material-related concerns.

Skills

Food manufacturing experience

Food service product knowledge

Job description

Judge Direct Placement is seeking a Sourcing Manager for a manufacturing client in the Knoxville, TN area. The role focuses on sourcing ingredients, packaging, and related materials to support product development and operations.

Responsibilities include evaluating supplier quotations, monitoring market trends, maintaining records, and negotiating terms to drive cost efficiency while ensuring quality and compliance with GMP and food safety standards.