Sr. Manager - Strategic Sourcing And Innovation

Who are we?

Since 2004, KIND has been on a mission to create a kinder and healthier world - one snack and one act at a time. Its iconic KIND© bars - made with real, recognizable ingredients - sparked the growth of an entirely new healthy snacking category. Today, KIND has a family of more than 80 snacks that offer solutions for a variety of occasions. All of KIND's products lead with a nutrient-dense first ingredient - whole nuts, whole grains or whole fruit - and do not contain genetically engineered ingredients, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.

Inspired by the belief that acts of kindness can be a transformative force for good, both the KIND brand and The KIND Foundation seek to inspire kindness and empathy.

We're looking for passionate collaborators to help us become the foremost leader in health & wellness and positively impact society along the way. If you're looking to be a part of an inspiring, energetic and entrepreneurial environment, you’ve found the right place.

What You'll Do

The position will take the leadership for managing the strategic sourcing and onboarding for new contract manufacturing partners for all NA Business units, including KIND, Nature's Bakery and Tru Fru Business. This position will be the primary point of contact between the Business Units and any new external manufacturing partners and will be responsible for onboarding and negotiations to meet operational strategies, deliver cost, quality, service, and Innovation. This position will also work in partnership with BU counterparts to execute complex Innovation and/or Supply Chain initiatives.

What You'll Bring To KIND

• Build an engaged an effective Innovation community by fully leveraging resources in Marketing, PMO, Procurement, R&D/Q&FS, and Supply, Finance, Logistics and managing internal stakeholders. Collaborating with other Mars segments on synergies to drive optimal value to the organization.
• Accountable for the strategic sourcing of new external manufacturing sites including managing the initial relationship and negotiations with our key partners.
• Accountable for onboarding of any new external manufacturing partner for all BU's: KIND, NB and Tru Fru.
• Leverage external capabilities to deliver supply solutions for those innovation projects that cannot be resourced internally and provide market intelligence during scoping phases of the innovation process.
• Accountable for execution and management of complex Innovation and/or Supply Chain initiatives.

How You'll Do It

• Build communication processes that ensure appropriate level of communication of daily activities between all stakeholders.
• Authority to construct contract negotiations with non-strategic and strategic suppliers in conjunction with the spending approval process
• Maintain network of viable external manufacturing partners to source and qualify as needed to meet the requirements of the business. Recommends new external manufacturing partners
• Support cost reduction activities to identify, scope, prioritize, resource, approve and execute. Builds the business case for productivity projects.
• Responsible for the Supplier Confidential Agreement negotiation, construction, and implementation according to the NDA approval process
• Act as a strong business and operations partner to the Business Units to educate, inform, consult and influence in order to deliver their priorities. Aligns and balances risk.
• Lead negotiations for new master contracts, renewals and exhibits to develop cost effective pricing strategies and win/win partnerships with clear accountabilities. Recommends new contracts.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the Business Units and any new or potential external manufacturing partners.
• Responsible for new master services agreements and statement of works for external manufacturing.
• Accountable and Responsible for Innovation Budgets, Tolling Negotiations and Time Lines.
• Collaborate with the Finance team to identify, explain and minimize variances to standards and/or budgets. Forecast future variances and budgets as necessary.
• Manage complex Innovation or Supply Chain initiatives at external manufacturing sites that may include new manufacturing platforms, unique equipment, large investments, relocations, new line start ups, and/or other priority programs of the Business.
• Collaborate with the Supply and Logistics Team to ensure that forecasts are being communicated and production plans are being locked in order to mitigate unplanned charges and unplanned downtime. Ensure that demand plans have an associated capacity plan.
• Collaborate with the Food Safety and Quality Teams to ensure products are manufactured to specifications and in compliance with Food Safety Standards.

You are...

• 5-10 years practical working experience in operations, manufacturing, or procurement roles
• At least 5 years of Operational Experience
• Knowledge of Supply Chain process and procedure
• Demonstrated Track Record of Successful Innovation Launches
• At least 5 years of Contract Negotiation
• Knowledge of Quality process and procedure
• Effective relationship management - internal and external
• Knowledge of sourcing and procurement process and procedure
• Bachelor degree with a focus on supply chain management, contract manufacturing, engineering, or operations

You have...

• Knowledge of Strategic Sourcing and procurement process and procedure
• Leadership of cross functional teams
• Knowledge of Supply Chain process and procedure
• Experience in Strategic procurement, Manufacturing or other supply chain roles (accepted)
• 5-10 years’ experience in large CPG Contract Manufacturing (preferred)
• Knowledge of Quality process and procedure
• Ability to travel 15 - 40% of the time
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English

The salary range for this role is $120,000- 160,000 per year. Please state your salary expectations in your application. KIND intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. Base pay is one part of the total rewards that KIND provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. KIND provides a robust benefits package to help support you physically, financially, and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life.

What KIND Offers

• Casual office dress code - feel free to wear your KIND gear
• Competitive salary, including a target bonus and an impressive benefits package!
• Flexible Paid Time Off. Choose what works best for you, including summer hours
• Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical well-being through in office programs like Drs, Nutritionists, Mindfulness, Chair Massages & others
• Stock up on your favorite KIND bars to share with your family & friends, through a quarterly voucher
• Training & tuition reimbursement program, because continuing to learn matters and we support your development
• The opportunity and responsibility to be KIND everyday
• A dynamic, ambitious, fun and KIND work environment
• Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you & your family’s needs

EEO

At KIND, we are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. KIND is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require special accommodation, please let us know.

Privacy Policy

KIND promises that our products will always lead with a nutrient-dense first ingredient, such as nuts, whole grains or fruit – a disruptive notion that sparked the creation of a new healthy snacking category. We aim to challenge the status quo within the food industry and empower our community to make better, informed choices about health. To view KIND's Privacy Policy in its entirety please follow this link: https://www.kindsnacks.com/privacy-policy.html

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