Director, Purchasing and Contract Manufacturing

Job purposeThe Director of Purchasing and Contract Manufacturing is responsible for all non-seafood purchasing of goods and services, including:Contract Manufacturing / Co-PackingIngredients / PackagingMRO / CapexIT, Marketing, & Shared ServicesThis pivotal role involves developing and executing strategies to ensure efficient and cost-effective purchasing and product development, while maintaining high-quality standards and meeting customer demands. The Director of Purchasing and Contract Manufacturing collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, such as procurement, production, quality assurance, and supply chain management, to establish strong relationships with supply partners. They will lead negotiations, assess performance metrics, and implement continuous improvement initiatives at the target locations to optimize production efficiency, minimize risks, and drive business growth. Additionally, the Director of Purchasing and Contract Manufacturing stays abreast of industry trends, regulations, and best practices to inform strategic decision-making and maintain the company's competitive edge in the market. Ultimately, this role plays a crucial part in driving operational excellence, fostering innovation, and ensuring the successful execution of the company's product development objectives through strategic partnerships with contract manufacturers.This role requires a strong leader who can influence, guide, and engage a variety of stakeholders towards an improved future state.Essential Duties and responsibilitiesEnsure development and implementation of growth initiatives and purchasing/negotiating strategies, along with day-to-day supplier management, to support enterprise objectives across key functions, including:Product Development:Work with process partners in Marketing and R&D to conduct opportunity assessments, qualify suppliers, address product development opportunities, and lead productivity improvement projects.Manage commercial relationships with co-packers and contract manufacturers to ensure high performance levels on material planning, production, product quality, food safety, transportation, inventory, customer service, regulatory policies, and cost requirements.Manufacturing/Distribution:Identify and develop the right suppliers to ensure best cost, quality, and delivery.Maintain adequate inventory of ingredients, packaging, production supplies, and finished products at competitive prices.Recommend hedging strategies for key commodities including energy, packaging materials, and agricultural ingredients.Engineering: support procurement of capex and construction services.IT, Marketing and Shared Services: support procurement of corporate goods and services.Establish and maintain measurable performance metrics for key activities including supplier performance, supplier quality, order fulfillment, and financial (AP) performance; Measure progress and develop corrective actions as needed. Additional measures should be put in place for contract manufacturing partners including food safety and customer service.Be the primary source for obtaining operational savings at supplier facilities; ensure savings are tracked and that initiatives meet profit plan and overall business objectives.Understand should-cost and cost-drivers, including short-and-long-term impacts.Lead commodity strategies in line with product development and corporate initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency; reduce total cost of supply chain management.Build and strengthen cross functional relationships between suppliers and internal process partners to foster trust.Aid in the development and execution of daily tactical activities such as inventory management, quality and service improvement, internal/external communications, and other supply chain management functions.Analyze manufacturing best practices and encourage suppliers to implement these practices.Be knowledgeable of the internal processes needed to bring products through commercialization.Work with the Legal Department on contract creation/management and with audit and other process partners to manage risk; Mitigate risk along the value chain, including raw materials/ingredients, packaging, inventory, and logistics.Ensure suppliers comply with High Liner Foods' Supplier Code of Conduct.Manage and mentor a dynamic team of purchasing professionals.QualificationsUniversity degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, and/or Operations Management, or equivalent business experience.Significant experience in food-related manufacturing and contract manufacturing with diverse management experiences in operations, engineering, purchasing, strategic sourcing, and/or quality assurance, preferably in a strategic role in a mid- to large-size food manufacturer.Good understanding of manufacturing processes, and supply markets for frozen and ready-to-eat products, ingredients, packaging components, CAPEX, and associated commodities.Experience in all aspects of contract manufacturing, including ideation, product development, supplier identification, supplier development, product launch, and business planning.Good understanding of quality management principles (such as Good Manufacturing Principles), continuous improvement methodologies (such as Lean & Six Sigma), regulatory requirements (such as FDA, SQF, BRC, AIB), and industry best practices in relevant CPG sectors (frozen food manufacturing a plus).Multi-year experience developing contract manufacturing partners and/or co-packers in frozen and/or ready-to-eat foods; Solid track record managing third-party partners including contract manufacturing and/or co-packing.Strong knowledge of procurement principles, methods, practices, and techniques, including negotiating contracts, MSAs, SLAs, etc.; previous experience purchasing IT, marketing, and corporate services a plus.Proven leadership abilities with experience in managing and developing teams, fostering collaboration, and driving performance excellence in a cross-functional environment.Ability to coordinate multiple group efforts within the company to achieve objectives, including substantial reductions in material cost targets.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.Ability to handle multiple tasks, with awareness of deadlines.Ability to identify processes needing improvement, and to recommend improvements.Additional RequirementsStrong entrepreneurial drive, a business development mindset, and passion to succeed.Hands-on mentality, proven ability to work independently within a structured process, with self-motivation.Strong attention to detail and managing cross functional projects.Solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.Excellent teamwork and team-building skills.Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including planning, marketing, product development, seafood procurement, operations, quality assurance, and food safety.Knowledge of cost analysis, fiscal management, and budgeting techniques.Familiarity with P&L management.Strong problem identification and problem resolution skills.Strong general management skills including presentation, strategic thinking, negotiating, organization, financial, analytical, and management.Previous experience with ERP and Planning tools; solid computer skills with focus on Excel, PowerPoint, Word.Expected travel for this role, 20-25%.Direct reports4 direct reports; 9 indirect reports.What's in it for you?Join High Liner Foods for a career where you shape your path, backed by great benefits, flexible work, and a culture of diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Immerse yourself in opportunities to make a real impact and grow with us in our mission to nourish lives. Start your adventure where endless possibilities to thrive together await.Competitive SalaryHealth, dental & vision coveragePay for performance incentivesEmployee & Family assistance programsWellness ProgramsRetirement PlanningSupplemental Parental LeavesDisability SupportFamily friendly Flex policies & Summer hoursVolunteer hoursLearning and mentorship opportunitiesSafety focused work environmentTo learn more please visit our career/LinkedIn/Indeed page.

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