Kettle Cuisine

Protein Procurement Manager

  • Location:   Lynn, MA
  • Position Type:   FT

JOB SUMMARY:

This individual will be responsible for all things related to animal protein sourcing, which is one of the largest sources of ingredient spend at Kettle. This is a strategic role that requires organization and leadership, with a keen sense of accountability and timeliness in an exciting and fast-growing food company.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop deep market intelligence for the animal protein category (pork, beef, poultry, etc) by monitoring the category supply base, industry dynamics, and underlying price indices, and establishing senior level relationships in the food ingredient supply base

• Develop aligned category strategies by understanding current and future business needs, with support from key stakeholders. Deliver at least one strategic category plan annually.

• Lead the negotiations for Master Supply Agreements with selected strategic suppliers

• Create formula-based pricing agreements for pertinent ingredients, which would include direct commodity, fx, and indirect commodity (e.g. feed and crude oil) inputs

• Manage and lead supply and commodity risk strategy and mitigation plans for animal protein sub-categories, including accountability for coverage strategy

• Responsible for category’s ingredient items for budgeting forecasting as part of the annual budget process

• Manage and analyze purchase price variance (PPV) for pertinent ingredients in the category

• Support the launch of new sous vide and meal introductions, updated recipes and extensions into new categories by sourcing and/or working with suppliers to develop new ingredients, with close alignment with Quality/ Food Safety, Culinary, Commercialization and Operations teams

• Stay abreast on market trends, cost optimization, innovation and latest technologies to identify new ingredient opportunities by analyzing industry research and attending trade shows

• Become Kettle’s animal protein sourcing expert • Develop and maintain senior level relationships at strategic ingredient suppliers

• Drive quarterly business reviews to review aligned KPIs with select, strategic ingredient suppliers QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Food Science, Animal/Meat Science or related field

• 7 – 12 years of experience, with at least 3 years in strategic ingredients procurement, preferably in proteins

• Have managed an annual food ingredient spend of at least $75 MM and continuously led agricultural ingredient sourcing of consistent categories for 2 or more years

• Food ingredient procurement experience in agricultural commodities and animal proteins

• Strong understanding of seasonality of ingredient purchases and coverage strategies

• Developed or refreshed one or more procurement category strategies with stakeholder alignment

• Track record of identifying and delivering annual cost savings that meet or exceed target

• Ability to support the tactical and operational needs, while not losing focus on the strategic

• Must have solid influencing skills to ensure team success and to work with cross-functional partners

• Ability to lead new ingredient development process with supply partners

• Strong analytical skills and computer proficiency, specifically Excel and PowerPoint.

• Talent for communicating, influencing, and problem-solving

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high growth environment - skilled at planning, organizing, prioritizing, and executing multiple projects with multiple stakeholders.

• Optimistic, resourceful, and ready to take on any challenges!

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES

• Self-starter able to conceptualize and drive initiatives forward

• Positive attitude and motivated by contributing to the overall success of the team

• Able to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Creative problem solving skills and analyst approach

• Obsessive attention to detail, well organized and able to juggle many projects at once

• Comfortable moving at a fast pace and in ambiguous environments

• Willing to address difficult situations head on with patience and respect

CORE VALUES

Kettle Cuisine takes the utmost pride in its people, products, and reputation. Each employee is expected to understand and live our Core Values every day.

 Honor Food – We create and produce the best tasting, safest, all natural recipes that strive for perfection in every batch, from bench to kettle

 Honor Each Other – We seek to develop trusting, respectful and mutually rewarding relationships with all our team members and business partners

 Honor Development – We recognize and nurture each other’s talents, strengths and interests in order to further strengthen and grow our team

 Honor Innovation – We continually strive for creative and sustainable ways to achieve excellence

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