Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Co-Manufacturing Manager to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35 years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry. Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime, provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company. Being a partner to the communities that surround us – and the environment that sustains us – are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here’s the Scoop - Summary

The Co-Manufacturing Manager is responsible for sourcing and negotiating manufacturing contracts with the respective co-manufacturers and co-packers identified. The incumbent will also have responsibilities for driving various initiatives and production processes, including new product launches from conception to commercialization. In addition, the Co-Manufacturing Manager is also primarily responsible for providing key support considering financial, production, and distribution requirements to help Champion Pet Foods deliver optimally sourced product to the market.

This position will also lead projects involving cross-functional teams to define and execute co-manufacturing and co-packing projects for new innovations that require unique capabilities outside of Champions abilities. 

Reporting to the Director Planning and Supply Chain, the Co-Manufacturing Manager will work out of our affiliate office in Nashville as well as from a home-based office on a hybrid schedule.

What a typical day looks like:

• Ensure direct reports have Objective and Personal Development plans in place to drive a High Performing Culture.
• Ensure a robust pipeline of talent has been identified to fill current and future mission critical roles.
• Identify and negotiate contract terms with new and existing Co-Manufacturers and Packers to support CPF growth and innovation needs. 
• Work closely with the Industrial Engineering (IE) and Finance team in developing Co-man Approval Request (CAR) documents required for stakeholder approval of new co-man and co-pack operators.
• Ensure proper documentation guaranteeing supplier commitment to provide the World’s Best Ingredients detailed by Company quality standards and processes.
• Support innovation needs of the business by coordinating production trials of new product across the co-manufacturing facilities, deploying project management tools, and ensuring production is executed at the required timelines.
• Work cross functionally with Marketing, PMO, Production, Legal, Sales, etc to create go to market plans which ensure successful on-time launch of innovation
• Monitor and track supplier performance and ensure capacity is available to limit interruptions to production attainment goals. Provide ongoing feedback to suppliers in regard to their performance and relationship with Champion.
• Optimize and maintain appropriate inventory levels to meet the businesses Customer Service Level (CSL) needs for the 3PM network operators.
• Implement and sustain a Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset to eradicate losses by improving operational efficiencies, and better negotiate pricing to deliver the Fuel For Growth target of the function. 
• Lead the onboarding and training initiatives for new suppliers as determined by business needs.
• Have additional suppliers vetted and available should there be a business need to divert production to a different supplier.
• Improve the impact of FG demand changes to ingredient management and support the Ingredient Management team with risk assessments and mitigation activities.
• Provide additional support for planning and Kitchen schedule integration.
• Perform other duties, as required, or assigned.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5 years of related supplier management experience within the consumer-packaged goods or food/pet food industry preferred.
• Experience with negotiating, procurement, contracting, and operationalizing co-manufacturers and co-packers is required.
• Critical thinking, analytical skills, and strong relationship management experience is required.
• A customer-focused mindset with the proven ability to effectively communicate across diverse stakeholder groups, both internally and externally.
• Project Management experience considered an asset, including ability to lead large cross-functional teams and delegate tasks accordingly.
• Ability to present outcomes and recommendations to business leaders in a concise manner.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, and sound leadership skills.
• Excellent communication skills with proven ability to take initiative and make an impact.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively, being a reliable team member for multiple levels of the Company.
• Travel between multiple facilities is required.

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings: Competitive Wages that give financial peace of mind, 401k with company matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education: In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.
• Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks: Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.