Sr. Procurement Category Manager, Ingredients

company information

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based dairy company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and value-added products to nourish consumers.

With more than $1B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s growing portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

The company is driven by its values of caring for people, the animals that supply us with milk, and the planet. By providing nourishing products, implementing stringent care standards for animals, and stewarding efficient operations and responsible packaging, fairlife, LLC puts a focus each day on making a positive impact for all.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:

As fairlife continues to experience exponential growth as a company, we are looking for a Procurement Manager to help advance the strategic sourcing and procurement operations within our Supply Chain Team. This role is directly responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of developing and implementing sourcing strategies that align with fairlife’s strategic objectives. The Senior Procurement Manager, Ingredients will be tasked with ensuring stable, long-term supply of ingredients with a focus on supplier selection, relationship management and price negotiation. This role delivers value by ensuring fairlife sources the highest quality, most cost-effective materials from a reliable, high performing supply base.

responsibilities:

• Identify, support, and implement raw material cost reduction opportunities.
• Execute robust category strategies that optimize the supply base, reduce dependence on sole sourced suppliers and ensure consistent continuity of supply.
• Manage vendor relationships, track performance, and communicate performance feedback.
• Assist in the development and management of annual material cost budgets.
• Lead Request for Proposal (RFP) process to ensure consistent lowest total cost of ownership.
• Resolve any unforeseen problems with suppliers relating to operations, purchasing or quality/performance.
• Collaborate with Planning Team on inventory flow & order optimization opportunities.
• Monitor, track and report on savings and key performance indicators for category
• Plan, organize, direct, and control activities related to strategic sourcing for ingredients.
• Daily collaboration with cross-functional project teams, acting as a support function for any project needs related to strategic sourcing.
• Develop and execute vendor agreements in close collaboration with Legal Team.
• Support R&D Team in innovation and sustainability projects involving supplier & material selection.
• Analyze and forecast market inflation trends and work to address any price variances to budget.
• Identify risks and vulnerabilities within procurement and commodity management and develop risk mitigation strategies to build a more resilient supply base

skills/qualifications required:

• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• 5-7+ years of Procurement Category Management experience or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, procurement, food science, engineering, or related fields required. Master’s degree in supply chain or related fields preferred.
• Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, Supply Chain, and Marketing in the development and commercialization of new products.
• Strong knowledge base of ingredient markets, ingredient costing and ingredient suppliers.
• Master in negotiation, value generation.
• Ability to influence senior leadership teams at Plant level and Corporate Function level.
• Proactive business results-focus, and proven ability to provide insights that generate value and drive savings in spend.
• Strong project management background desired with experience in CPG environment.

position location: Chicago, IL

reports to: VP, Procurement & Commodities

travel requirements: Up to 35%

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected].