Vice President of Global Procurement

Central Garden & Pet Company; Neptune City (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

Profit-sharing bonus

Paid vacation

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet Company seeks a visionary leader to head Global Procurement, driving enterprise-wide sourcing strategies to optimize cost, supplier performance, risk, and innovation. This on-site role requires collaboration with Operations, Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, Sales, and Marketing to align procurement with growth plans.

The VP will establish a global procurement vision, build strategic supplier partnerships, and deliver sustainable procurement solutions supporting operational

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or related field required.
• Master's degree or MBA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier management within a consumer goods company.
• 5+ years of executive or senior leadership experience managing procurement teams.
• Experience in commodities, packaging, raw materials, and contract manufacturing environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability, and enterprise-level business acumen.
• Proven negotiation skills with ability to deliver win-win outcomes while protecting enterprise value.
• Strong financial acumen with experience driving margin improvement, working capital optimization, and cost reduction strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's global procurement strategy and 3–5-year roadmap.
• Lead all aspects of domestic and global strategic sourcing, procurement, contract negotiations, supplier selection, and performance management.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key suppliers to strengthen partnerships and supply continuity.
• Develop sourcing strategies that optimize total cost of ownership while improving quality and innovation.
• Monitor commodity markets, inflation, tariffs, FX trends, and geopolitical risks to adjust sourcing strategies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Procurement

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Financial acumen

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

MBA preferred

Job description

The Vice President, Global Procurement is a strategic executive responsible for leading the company's global procurement organization and developing enterprise-wide sourcing strategies that drive cost optimization, supplier performance, risk mitigation, innovation, and long-term value creation. This leader will establish and execute a global procurement vision, build strategic supplier partnerships, and ensure sourcing initiatives align with the organization's financial objectives and business growth strategies. Working collaboratively with Operations, Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, Sales, Marketing, and Commercial leadership, the Vice President will deliver sustainable procurement solutions that support operational excellence and competitive advantage.

This position is based on-site five (5) days per week at our Neptune City, NJ facility and requires travel to our Monroe Township, NJ facility.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• Develop and execute the company's global procurement strategy and 3–5-year strategic roadmap, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and long-term business growth.
• Lead all aspects of domestic and global strategic sourcing, procurement, contract negotiations, supplier selection, and supplier performance management across direct spend categories.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key suppliers to strengthen strategic partnerships, improve collaboration, and ensure supply continuity.
• Develop sourcing strategies that optimize total cost of ownership while improving quality, service, innovation, and supplier performance.
• Monitor global commodity markets, inflationary pressures, tariffs, foreign exchange trends, and geopolitical risks to proactively adjust sourcing strategies and mitigate business impacts.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard strategic suppliers that enhance competitiveness, innovation, sustainability, and operational resilience.
• Establish supplier governance programs, including performance scorecards, business reviews, compliance standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, Sales, and Marketing teams to support new product development, product lifecycle management, and business growth initiatives through effective sourcing strategies.
• Lead enterprise-wide cost savings initiatives and productivity programs that deliver measurable financial results and margin improvement.
• Develop procurement policies, governance standards, and compliance programs that ensure ethical sourcing, regulatory compliance, and adherence to company policies.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing global procurement organization by establishing clear performance expectations, accountability, succession planning, and professional development opportunities.
• Establish and monitor procurement KPIs to measure supplier performance, savings realization, sourcing effectiveness, contract compliance, and overall procurement performance.
• Stay informed of industry trends, emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and procurement best practices to continually strengthen the organization's competitive position.
• Present procurement strategies, supplier performance, savings initiatives, and risk assessments to executive leadership and provide recommendations that support strategic decision-making.

IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or related field required.
• Master's degree or MBA strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier management within a consumer goods company.
• 5+ years of executive or senior leadership experience managing procurement teams.
• Deep expertise in commodities, packaging, raw materials, and contract manufacturing / co-manufacturing environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability, and enterprise-level business acumen.
• Proven negotiation skills with the ability to deliver win-win outcomes while protecting enterprise value.
• Strong financial acumen with experience driving margin improvement, working capital optimization, and cost reduction strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational transformation, develop high-performing global procurement teams, and foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Data-driven decision-making and strong business case development skills.
• Experience navigating complex, fast-paced, and evolving business environments.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and organizational discipline.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Free Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 401k with a 3% company match and annual profit-sharing bonus!
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounts on Pet supplies, cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more.
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications).
• Referral Program with a cash bonus.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2022 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, Farnam®, Ferry~Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, K&H®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central Garden & Pet is based in Walnut Creek, California and has over 7,000 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.