Head of Procurement

About us:

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry, and seafood directly from real animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarian—they are delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.

Founded as the world’s first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and to sell a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company believes that people shouldn’t have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.

UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including New York Times’ Good Tech Awards, FastCo’s Next Big Thing in Tech and World Changing Ideas Awards, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised a total of $608 million, including from the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund (ADG), Baillie Gifford, Bill Gates, Cargill, John Doerr, John Mackey, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Norwest, Richard Branson, Softbank, Temasek, Threshold, Tyson Foods, and others.

About this job:

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a fast-paced and innovative start-up in a nascent industry. As the Head of Procurement, you will oversee the procurement process for the entire organization for all direct and indirect spend, including raw materials, manufacturing and lab equipment, manufacturing and lab supplies and consumables, enterprise and functionally specific software and services, and general corporate purchasing. You will drive vendor process improvements and approvals to support our growth and work closely with various departments, gaining exposure to different aspects of our business operations, while playing a crucial role in ensuring an optimized and cost-efficient vendor program.

Responsibilities Include:

1. Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with the company's overall objectives and growth plans. This includes assessing current procurement processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing best practices to streamline operations and reduce costs.
2. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Negotiate contracts, commercial terms, and pricing to ensure favorable agreements that meet regulatory / quality standards, cost objectives, and project timelines.
3. Partner with Supply Chain to minimize risks and maximize efficiency. Identify potential bottlenecks, disruptions, or opportunities for improvement in the procurement process and take proactive measures to address them.
4. Work closely with business leadership, finance, R&D, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams to develop procurement budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives. Monitor expenses, track procurement metrics, and implement cost-control measures to ensure projects remain within budgetary constraints.
5. Ensure that all procured materials, equipment, and services meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry certifications. Collaborate with the Food Safety / Quality and Supply Chain teams to establish protocols, inspection procedures, and compliance checks to uphold the company's reputation for excellence.
6. Provide strong leadership and mentorship to the procurement team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and invest in professional development initiatives to empower team members and enhance their skills.
7. Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with procurement activities, such as supply chain disruptions, vendor risk assessments, supply chain security, market fluctuations, or geopolitical issues. Develop contingency plans, alternative sourcing strategies, and risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against unforeseen challenges.
8. Stay at the forefront of industry developments and emerging market trends, incorporating relevant innovations and technologies into company practices. Utilize market data to negotiate contracts and terms with vendors, optimizing pricing, terms, and conditions. Develop and implement procurement strategies informed by comprehensive market analysis, including tracking market indices, economic indicators, and supply chain trends.

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, logistics, related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 15+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, or related fields with at least 8 years as a head of procurement, managing teams.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Deep understanding of procurement best practices, Lean Manufacturing, market dynamics, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in procurement software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in a startup environment and FDA/USDA regulated industries is a plus.

Compensation Range: $180,000 - $220,000*
*Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.

UPSIDE Benefits!

• Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
• 90-100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical [including HSA and FSA], dental, and vision)
• Pet insurance for your furry family members!
• Unlimited PTO
• Employee Engagement Council
• Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.

#J-18808-Ljbffr