Strategic Sourcing Specialist plays a key strategic role in the optimizing and leveraging of our raw material costs relative to our competitive marketplace. Serves as our in-house expert on the packaging market, while developing and implementing best practice strategies to assigned purchase categories enabling bottom line results and measureable cost advantages in the markets we service. Supports manufacturing plants and management teams, in both proactive situations and programs enabling the efficient and low cost continuous flow of materials.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commitment to Company mission and values.

Ability to interact with the public and other employees in a positive manner and promote a cooperative working environment.

Consistently sets the example of professional appearance and standards of behavior.

Able to form and maintain effective partnerships across organizational boundaries. Strong team player with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.

Excellent oral and written communications skills (including public speaking) in English.

Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from executive leadership and groups of managers, clients and customers.

Coordinates several projects at the same time while prioritizing competing demands on time frames.

Advanced computer literacy required with proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word.

Maintains knowledge of manufacturing operational strategies and trends.

Ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.

Must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of general manufacturing standards.

Understanding of financial and market analysis as well as data generation as it relates to packaging, ingredients and commodity pricing. Knowledge of commodity risk management and purchasing or Ag finance.

Ability to assess, evaluate and solve problems.

Ability to perform complex negotiations with suppliers. Typically negotiates in a competitive or adversarial environment.

Proficiency with contractual terms and language relevant to packaging supply contracts.

Ability to travel to any location where the Company operates and expand territory as business needs dictate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Day to Day support of plants as needed in supplying best practices supply management guidance and developing both regional and centralized programs that make economic sense

Develop and execute sourcing strategies for driving competitive advantage in key procurement areas and assess key business risks.

Provide leadership

Develop and execute risk management strategies and develop hedging programs consistent with the company’s objectives.

Monitor and interpret market conditions for commodities being managed within the risk management program.

Identify target commodities/programs to manage commodity costs within planned productions levels.

Interface with business unit marketing and manufacturing teams to identify activities and opportunities to provide support from commodity risk management and strategic sourcing.

Identify and research various tools and programs to enhance commodity risk management strategy and execution.

Develop and deliver ongoing reporting of key measures of commodity risk management activities.

Interact with and manage relationship with outside consultants, brokers and other providers of services in the procurement risk management area.

Establish and maintain procedures for internal controls for execution of the commodity program, adhering to internal financial controls. Adhere to all company policies and established practices in execution of the commodity risk managements programs.

Ensure compliance with all corporate policies and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred).
• 5-10 years of experience in packaging procurement, commodities (buying futures, options) and risk management.
• Expert knowledge of volatile commodities particular those used in food & beverage products
• Experience in establishing broker relationships and contract negotiation.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills (including public speaking) in English.
• Advanced computer literacy required with proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word.
• Must be well organized and detail oriented.