Director of Procurement- Meat Manufacturing

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Team Leadership and OversightSet sourcing strategy for the entire procurement organization, covering raw meat as well as packaging and ingredient materialsDirect and oversee the buyer responsible for packaging and indirect categories - the Director sets direction and controls outcomes, the buyer executesHire, develop, and manage performance across the procurement teamOwn budget and cost accountability across all categories, both raw meat and non-meatEstablish procurement process standards and own compliance with themRaw Material - Meat Sourcing (core) Build and manage direct relationships with major U.S. meat processors and packers (Tyson, JBS, Cargill, Smithfield) and approved brokersDetermine and manage the pricing structure by item - formula pricing against USDA cutout, fixed-price contracts, or spot purchasingMonitor CME lean hog and live cattle markets, USDA reports, and cutout trends; provide a regular raw material cost outlook to leadershipOwn raw material specifications (IMPS/NAMP), grade, trim, and yield standards; evaluate yield performance by supplierIdentify and execute forward-buy and hedging opportunitiesInventory ManagementOwn raw material inventory levels, coverage days, and turns across frozen and refrigerated stockAlign purchasing volume with the production schedule and sales forecastSet and maintain buffer stock policy by item, balancing supply risk against carrying costManage cold storage relationships and inbound freightWork with Operations and Finance on inventory accuracy, aging, and obsolescencePackaging, Ingredients, and Indirect Spend (oversight) Oversee sourcing of casings, packaging materials, spices and seasonings, and additivesOversee indirect procurement including MRO, supplies, equipment parts, outsourced services, and logistics and cold storage contractsReview and approve major contracts and price negotiationsOversee inventory levels and lead times for packaging and ingredient materialsSupplier Management and QualityQualify, approve, and periodically audit suppliers; maintain the approved supplier list and secure backup sources for critical itemsMaintain the supplier master, conduct spend analysis, and identify savings opportunities by categoryPartner with Production and Quality to resolve material issues and manage claimsEnsure supplier compliance with USDA, FSIS, and food safety requirementsRequired 10+ years of procurement experience in meat or food manufacturing, including experience leading or managing a procurement teamHands-on raw meat sourcing experience gained at a meat processing or further-processing manufacturer, or at a packer; distribution or retail channel sourcing experience alone will not be consideredTrack record negotiating bulk commodity purchases directly with major suppliersWorking knowledge of IMPS/NAMP specifications, grading, and yieldExperience managing frozen and refrigerated raw material inventory and cold chain logisticsExperience operating procurement processes within an ERP environmentComfortable working hands-on in a mid-sized manufacturing environmentPreferredExisting relationships with Tyson, JBS, Cargill, Smithfield, or comparable processorsExperience with commodity hedging or price risk managementExperience managing multiple categories including packaging, ingredients, and indirect spendExposure to export operations or international customersBenefitsComprehensive health insuranceEnd year bonus performance base 401KRelocation supportPTO, Sick days