Senior Manager Commodity Sourcing

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of sourcing and procurement within the assigned commodity and/or ingredient categories to ensure alignment with customer needs and company objectives. This role requires strong leadership, negotiation skills and market expertise to optimize supply chain performance, reduce costs and mitigate risks associated with commodity sourcing.

Essential Functions of the Job:

1. Commodity Sourcing Strategy:

• Develop and implement commodity sourcing strategies for assigned categories for the organization (Grains, Pulses, Sweeteners, Nuts, Fruits).
• Analyze market trends, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical factors to inform commodity procurement decisions.
• Identify and evaluate new suppliers, ensuring they meet quality, cost and delivery requirements.
• Manage inventory position reports and make recommendations of coverage based on market environment and current supply and demand landscape.

2. Supplier Relationship Management:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure high service levels and long-term partnerships.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and terms with suppliers, ensuring favorable terms for the company while mitigating risks.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve any issues related to quality, delivery, or cost.
• Deliver value from strategic supplier relationships; in categories where strategic sourcing does not exist, develop and deliver appropriate sourcing roadmaps to drive value.
• Identify and proactively mitigate areas of risk in the supply base.

3. Cost Management & Optimization:

• Lead efforts to analyze costs of procurement and suggest methods to decrease expenditures and improve sourcing efficiency.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives through alternate sourcing strategies, value engineering, and supplier consolidation.
• Build a comprehensive procurement toolbox to include negotiation plans to support strategic sourcing, development of solid true-cost models, volume aggregation or bundling, competitive bidding, demand management, identification of new supply models, innovation, cross-portfolio leveraging, low-cost country models, etc.
• Track commodity prices and trends to ensure purchasing decisions are timely and aligned with budgetary targets.

4. Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify potential risks in the supply chain, including price volatility, supply disruptions, and quality issues.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies such as hedging, diversifying suppliers, etc.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, sustainability requirements, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Create procurement standard operating procedures to ensure procurement activities comply with best-in-class policies and procedures including legal and regulatory.

5. Cross Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal teams (e.g., supply chain, logistics, finance, pricing, operations, business management) to align sourcing strategies with overall business objectives.
• Provide market insights and analysis to help inform product development, pricing strategies, and supply chain decisions.
• Identify, vet and execute specification improvement and optimization opportunities.
• Ensure effective communication with coworkers, leadership, strategic suppliers and customers.
• Have aptitude to encourage consensus, resolve conflict, solve tough business problems, and work to aggressively meet organizational goals and objectives.

6. Market & Supplier Research:

• Conduct in-depth market analysis and supplier assessments to identify emerging trends, potential disruptions, and new opportunities.
• Attend industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to stay informed of market conditions and supplier capabilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May have supervisory responsibility of support positions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Five to seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food manufacturing environment experience.
• Experience with ERP and support systems (i.e. Oracle, Interspec, Intelex, etc.).

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strategic thinking and decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Effective stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of end-to-end sourcing and supply chain networks.
• Demonstrated success in managing vendors, negotiating and managing high-value contracts.
• Proven disciplined negotiator in complex sourcing environments with ability to balance purchase price, freight spend, cash-flow, speed, quality, and service.
• Ability to successfully function at a strategic level as well as a hands-on tactical individual contributor that is comfortable in the details.
• Promote ethical procurement practices which include compliance with corporate and departmental policies and procedures as well as federal, state and legal regulations.
• Demonstrate integrity, respect, teamwork, and equity in all aspects of the job including dealing with suppliers, team members, customers, and others.
• Strong ability to develop relationships, communicate effectively and influence others.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skillset required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Oracle or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Follow safe practices in all work activities to avoid injuries and accidents.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Represent the Company in a positive and responsible manner.

Additional Considerations:

• Location: This position will be located at our Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
• Travel: Travel is required to various SunOpta locations, plus for meetings and/or other job-related functions.
• Work Environment: Approximately 95% of work is performed in an office environment. 5% of work may involve being in an agricultural or manufacturing environment.

Featured benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED