Vice President - Strategic Sourcing

Role Overview

The Vice President of Strategic Sourcing & Transformative Capabilities is a key enterprise leader responsible for developing and executing a 3–5 year sourcing strategy that enables Freshpet’s aggressive growth trajectory while staying true to our purpose of improving the lives of People, Pets, and the Planet.

This role leads the transformation of Freshpet’s sourcing capabilities—building resilient, ethical, and regenerative supply networks; expanding strategic partnerships; and unlocking competitive advantage through ingredients, technology, and vertically integrated opportunities. You will develop a world-class Strategic Sourcing and Materials organization that anticipates business needs, manages risk, and supports the innovation, quality, and sustainability expectations of a fast-growing, fresh CPG pioneer.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Long-Range Planning

• Lead the development and execution of a 3–5 year sourcing strategy to support Freshpet’s operational scale, innovation roadmap, and long-term growth.
• Identify and pursue strategic partnerships, co-manufacturing opportunities, and potential vertical integration initiatives that strengthen supply continuity, cost structure, and competitive advantage.
• Partner with R&D and Commercial to source ingredients and materials that enable consumer-led breakthrough innovation and differentiation in Freshpet’s product portfolio.
• Integrate Freshpet’s commitments to sustainability, ethical sourcing, regenerative practices, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship into all sourcing strategies and supplier partnerships.
  
  

Category Strategy, Supplier Partnership & Performance

• Develop category strategies across ingredients, meats, grains, packaging, logistics, capital investments and indirects that ensure quality, service, capacity, and cost competitiveness.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with high-value suppliers; drive innovation, joint development, and long-term agreements that deliver value-added capabilities.
• Lead supplier qualification, contracting, negotiation strategies, and performance management; establish KPIs and scorecards supporting quality, supply continuity, and continuous improvement.
• Explore how ingredients, technology, and strategic collaboration can be leveraged to create meaningful differentiation and sustainable competitive advantage.
  
  

Risk Management & Business Continuity

• Build an enterprise-wide sourcing risk framework, including supplier diversification, scenario planning, cost modeling, and contingency strategies.
• Maintain visibility into macroeconomic, commodity, regulatory, and industry trends; proactively mitigate risks related to inflation, supply constraints, and emerging sustainability expectations.
• Ensure resilient supply networks that support Freshpet’s expanding capacity, new product launches, and multi-site manufacturing footprint.
  
  

Operational Excellence, Systems & Analytics

• Own procurement data, dashboards, and KPIs—driving visibility, accuracy, and decision-making through ERP/MRP systems, analytics tools, and e-sourcing platforms.
• Build scalable processes for cost tracking, cycle time reduction, working capital optimization, and material cost forecasting in partnership with Finance.
• Champion digitization, automation, and process improvement to enhance productivity, transparency, and total cost management.
• Maintain cross-functional governance processes with Finance, Supply Chain Planning, Operations, R&D, and Legal to ensure alignment and protect Freshpet intellectual property and co-developed technologies.
  
  

Team Leadership & Organization Development

• Build, structure, and develop a high-performing Strategic Sourcing organization that supports Freshpet’s scale, Growth and complexity.
• Coach and mentor leaders and team members with a focus on capability building, curiosity, accountability, and long-term career development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, purpose-driven leadership, and continuous improvement across all sourcing activities.
  
  

Key Attributes

• Strategic, enterprise-minded leader with strong ability to influence executives, peers, and cross-functional teams.
• Agile decision-maker comfortable navigating a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong financial, analytical, and negotiating acumen with a bias for data-driven, future-looking decisions.
• High integrity, transparency, accountability, and personal alignment with Freshpet’s values.
• Exceptional communicator able to engage with executive leadership, Board-level audiences, and external partners.
  
  

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of progressive procurement or strategic sourcing leadership in CPG/food or closely related industries; multi-site, high-growth experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record delivering COGS savings, supply continuity, quality improvements, and supplier innovation.
• Deep category expertise across ingredients, meats, grains, packaging, logistics, and strong understanding of cost drivers and cost models.
• Data-driven mindset with strong fluency in ERP/MRP systems, e-sourcing platforms, analytics tools, dashboards, and KPI management.
• Excellent communication and executive presence; able to influence senior leadership and Board-level stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA preferred.
• Certifications such as CSCMP, CPSM, or CSCP are a plus.