Leads the strategic sourcing of new and existing direct materials (ingredients or packaging material) to support the manufacturing of finished goods according to established procedures, practices, and policies; Drives value for the company through innovation projects that reduce & control cost, improve quality, drive efficiency, and ability to contribute to positive social and environmental impact.

• Manages most strategic supplier accounts with professionalism and excellence, applying supplier relationship management best practices, negotiation and issue resolution skills, and continuous improvement mindset to drive value for Amy’s and suppliers.
• Proactively provides suppliers with timely information critical for supplying Amy’s, including release schedules, contract adjustments, payment issues, et cetera.
• Oversees processes for qualifying and onboarding new suppliers and securing new ingredients and packaging for new products.
• Effectively leads complex and crucial conversations with suppliers to address performance issues, navigate disagreements, and find win-win solutions.
• Works in partnership with cross-departmental partners to ensure material meets all spec requirements (e.g., food safety, quality, regulatory, sensory) and to address issues caused by material variances.
• Effectively leads annual or multi-year contracting or RFQ process, including assessing the market, providing recommendations for contract allocation, and negotiating pricing and terms with suppliers.
• Uses experience in strategic sourcing methodology to develop and implement medium to long term strategies for the raw materials to reduce spend, increase supply assurance, improve food safety and quality, and deliver positive sustainability impacts.
• Partners with planning in developing mid to long-range purchasing plans.
• Applies knowledge of emerging trends in the global supply chain to make decisions and mitigate risks.
• Proactive and forward focused in reducing supply assurance risk; identifies and leads risk mitigation efforts aimed at specific commodities and broader topics and issues (e.g., labor, climate, social responsibility).
• Leads on resolution of short-term material shortage risks, including project managing the required support from cross-departmental partners including planning, supplier quality, regulatory, culinary, and manufacturing.
• Communicates critical information in a timely and effective way with all levels, with experience preparing briefings and communicating effectively with senior leadership.
• Identifies and leads innovation and continuous improvement projects to reduce/contain spend, increase supply assurance, improve food safety and quality, and deliver positive sustainability impacts.
• Leverages experience with Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies to address supply chain issues and identify corrective actions.
• Other duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy’s Food Safety and Quality Policy. This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This position does not have formal supervisory responsibilities, but may provide management and leadership support to interns, sourcing specialists, and/or as part of project teams.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• 9+ years of experience in a purchasing or related supply chain role, ideally in the food industry and/or organics, or a combination of experience with a relevant degree (Business, Ag Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Packaging Engineering).
• Experience sourcing dairy products. 

Language Skills

• Ability to read and write routine reports and correspondence and lead professional conversations and meetings with customers or coworkers.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Mathematical / Computer Skills

• Ability to analyze and solve basic math and algebraic problems. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with intermediate skill in Excel. Experience using ERP and Supply Chain Plan Systems expected.

Reasoning Ability and Creativity: 

• Ability to creatively solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills. Proven ability to work in a fast-paced team environment essential, with a high degree of flexibility and tolerance to change.

Travel

This job will require 20-30% travel.

Physical Demands & Work Environment  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty pounds (Samples). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.