Director of Procurement - Meat Manufacturing

• The Director of Procurement is responsible for leading all sourcing, purchasing, and supplier
• management functions for a meat manufacturing operation. This role ensures a consistent, cost-
• effective, and high-quality supply of raw materials (primal cuts, ingredients), packaging, and
• indirect goods while maintaining compliance with food safety, regulatory, and animal welfare
• standards. The Director will drive strategic sourcing initiatives, optimize vendor relationships,
• and support operational efficiency across production, warehousing, and distribution.

Key Responsibilities

• •Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with production demands, cost
• targets, and company growth objectives
• •Source and negotiate contracts for meat products, ingredients, packaging, and indirect
• supplies
• •Build and maintain strong relationships with ranchers, processors, distributors, and key
• vendors
• •Monitor market trends (commodity pricing, seasonality, supply chain risks) and adjust
• purchasing strategies accordingly
• •Ensure continuity of supply while minimizing cost volatility and shortages
• •Oversee inventory planning in coordination with operations to balance freshness, yield,
• and waste reduction
• •Lead cost-reduction initiatives, including vendor consolidation, contract optimization,
• and alternative sourcing
• •Ensure all suppliers meet USDA, FDA, and food safety (HACCP, SQF/BRC)
• requirements
• •Collaborate with Quality Assurance to approve and audit suppliers
• •Implement and maintain procurement systems, reporting, and KPIs (cost savings,
• supplier performance, fill rates)
• •Manage and develop the procurement team, including buyers and planners
• •Partner with finance on budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis
• •Support sustainability and animal welfare sourcing initiatives where applicable

Qualifications

• •Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Agriculture, or related field (MBA
• preferred)
• •7–10+ years of procurement experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role
• •Direct experience in meat, food manufacturing, or perishable goods required
• •Strong knowledge of protein markets, commodity purchasing, and yield management
• •Experience negotiating large-scale supplier contracts
• •Familiarity with food safety regulations (USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF/BRC)
• •Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and procurement analytics tools
• •Strong leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills

Key Competencies

• •Strategic sourcing and cost management
• •Supplier relationship management
• •Risk mitigation and supply continuity planning
• •Data-driven decision making
• •Cross-functional collaboration (Operations, QA, Finance, Sales)
• •Knowledge of cold chain and perishable inventory management

Work Environment

• •Combination of office and plant environment
• •Regular interaction with production floor and cold storage areas
• •Occasional travel to supplier sites, farms, and processing facilities
• •Performance-based bonus structure
• •Health, dental, and vision insurance
• •401(k) with company match
• •Paid time off and holidays