Procurement Manager for Packaging

When you hear the name Continental Mills, it might not register at first, but what if we asked if you’d ever tried Krusteaz Pancake mix? If you answered yes, now you know part of the story!

Own strategic plan, execution and data analysis for Packaging and other materials as assigned. Manage supplier relationships, negotiate and implement the detailed quantitative models which determine Cost of Goods. Responsible for developing strategies to capitalize on packaging price fluctuations for multiple inputs. Develop, maintain and refine economic forecasting programs related to packaging and other materials. Advise business units on future risks/opportunities and actions to be taken regarding market factors affecting their categories. The Manager will be responsible and accountable for leading their team to create unique sourcing strategies that deliver value through quality, service improvements, competitive market analysis, cost savings, and product innovation for each business unit.

* Provide guidance to category managers and suppliers on timing for material needs and subsequent risk. * Build and assess financial impact on all ingredient categories throughout the year as they relate to PPV’s. * Provides procurement oversight for a diverse set of categories across CM plants and co-packers with estimated spend of $40 – 50 million annually. * Sources packaging and Indirect Materials in compliance with CMI specifications and process capabilities. * Provides key information on costing, material regulatory compliance and new products. * Partner with suppliers to determine/implement the best strategy for purchases and/or contracts as well as to understand the complete supply chain * Leads vendor optimization process as required * Leads supplier certification process for packaging/other materials * Responsible for leading process of quality reconciliation/resolution when quality issues arise. Lead appropriate team of plant, quality, finance, and other representatives as needed. * Manage contract process for suppliers, with focus on total cost of ownership, redundancy of supply, quality, and protection of CM interests and operations. * Proactively manages supplier service, quality and availability issues for minimal impact on facilities. * Leads efforts to most effectively utilize internal information in the supply chain management of materials. * Develops ongoing purchasing strategies to optimize inventory investment, coordinates cost reduction/avoidance efforts. * Manage and communicate at-risk material inventory, insures packaging specifications are current. * Manage and coordinate supplier interface with internal functional areas. * Manage and improve vendor managed inventory locations/partnerships. * Utilizes quarterly supplier scorecards to manage vendor performance and exceptions, including VMI. * Delegates and appropriately prioritizes workload, provide training to plant buyers & analysts to meet business needs.

**Required Skills** **Leadership** * Ability to own packaging purchasing business with full responsibility for suppliers, data, market knowledge, and impact on internal efforts and projects. * Create an environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration, internally across functions and externally. * Ability to set expectations, track results and manage accountability. * Strong interpersonal and analytical skills. * Strong negotiating and selling skills. **Technical Capability** * Knowledge of packaging, as well as operations, supply chain, and logistics related to packaging * Strong data gathering, interpreting, reporting and analysis skills required * Understanding of the contracting process, pricing terms and conditions. * Understanding of all cost components that impact finished goods. * Ability to distinguish value versus price. * Strong information system skills. **Communications** * Strong communication skills, both written and oral, across all levels of the organization. * Strong negotiation skills * Coordination of key planning and forecasting activities. **Personal and Social Competence** * Highest ethical standards, promotes trust in all actions. * Strong attention to details. * Ability to solve problems. * Team player, ability to work with others. * Dependable. * Travel up to 50% of the time and work a flexible work schedule. **Required Experience** * Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or equivalent. * Eight year’s progressive purchasing or packaging related experience * Leadership, supervision experience