Director of Purchasing

Perricone Farms has partnered with the renowned Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, bringing together two leaders in the premium citrus juice market. This strategic acquisition creates a powerful, dynamic company poised for significant growth, combining Perricone’s expertise in craft citrus juices with Natalie’s reputation for high-quality, fresh-squeezed products. The merger expands the company’s reach and strengthens its position in the industry, offering exciting opportunities for innovation and growth.

Perricone Farms is looking to hire a Director of Purchasing, for our headquarters located in Newport Beach, CA.  This is a dynamic role that provides long-term, stable employment along with a competitive benefits package, including but not limited to health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 401K plan.

Position Summary

The Director of Purchasing leads the day-to-day procurement operations, including the development, review, and execution of company contracts, formal bids, Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and purchase orders. This role establishes and interprets purchasing policies, ensuring full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company standards.

In addition, the Director of Purchasing drives the strategic sourcing and supplier management functions across all ingredients, packaging, and related materials. This includes ensuring a consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective supply of key inputs such as fruit, organic ingredients, specialty components, corrugated materials, and packaging (bottles and caps). The role is critical in maintaining alignment with the company’s premium brand standards and overall operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Procurement Operations
• Oversee daily purchasing activities, including contracts, bids, RFQs/RFPs, and purchase orders, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with company policies.
• Develop Sourcing Strategy
• Design and execute strategic sourcing plans for fruit, juices, organic ingredients, and packaging materials to ensure supply continuity and cost optimization.
• Supplier Management & Partnerships
• Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, suppliers, and co-packers; evaluate performance and drive accountability for quality, service, and cost.
• Contract Negotiation
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term agreements to secure favorable conditions while mitigating risk related to seasonality and market volatility.
• Market & Risk Analysis
• Monitor commodity markets, crop forecasts, weather patterns, and global supply trends to proactively manage supply risks and pricing fluctuations.
• Quality & Compliance Alignment
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure all materials meet food safety standards and certifications (e.g., organic, non-GMO), and support audit readiness and traceability.
• Inventory & Demand Planning Collaboration
• Work closely with Supply Chain and Operations to align purchasing with production forecasts, balancing freshness, shelf life, and cost efficiency.
• Cost Management & Savings Initiatives
• Drive cost control strategies, track spend, and identify opportunities for savings without compromising quality or brand standards.
• Policy Development & Compliance
• Establish, implement, and enforce purchasing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal requirements.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Sales, R&D, and Quality to support new product development, forecasting, and business growth initiatives.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, mentor, and develop the purchasing team, setting clear goals and fostering a high-performance, accountable culture.
• Continuous Improvement
• Identify and implement process improvements, systems enhancements, and best practices to increase efficiency and visibility across the procurement function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Agriculture, or related field (MBA preferred)
• 8–12 years of progressive purchasing/sourcing experience, preferably in food & beverage or fresh/CPG
• Strong experience sourcing perishable goods (fruit, juice, or agricultural commodities highly preferred)
• Proven track record of contract negotiation and supplier management
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and certifications (organic, non-GMO, etc.)
• Experience managing supply chain risks related to seasonality and global sourcing

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and market awareness
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Strong analytical and financial acumen
• Relationship-building and communication
• Problem-solving in a fast-paced, perishable goods environment
• Leadership and team development

United Juices / Perricone Juices is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, mental, religion, sex, gender, genetic information, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other classification protected by Federal, state, or local law.