Job Description

The core purpose of the role is the strategic sourcing of raw materials for current and future finished goods. This role will work closely with the New Product Development team to source raw materials in a way that adheres to Kettle Cuisine’s high quality standards. You will also be required to support the transactional procurement team by providing options to manage the day to day business ensuring the cost and profit targets are delivered.  To create barriers to competitor threats and challenges with points of difference relevant and valuable to our business and clients.  This is to be achieved through the supply chain and fresh food industry knowledge and expertise.  A person with high integrity toward vendors with excellent client engagement skills.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

·       Manage the new raw material sourcing process, gathering relevant cost, logistic, and technical information to supply the Development, Technical, Purchasing, and Finance teams for decision making purposes.

·       Review and update cost information on existing and new raw materials for costing/pricing purposes.  

·       Evaluate significant changes in raw material demand based on potential new projects and communicate to purchasing group in order to plan ahead for changes in demand.

·       Complete all necessary documentation required by customers pertaining to the sourcing of raw materials including but not limited to sustainability, specification, and any other sourcing requirements.

·       Deliver margin enhancement through skill full leadership, challenging the status quo whilst improving product quality and consistency.

·       Guardian the quality and sourcing of the Kettle Cuisine branded products ensuring ongoing Supply and innovation is seen as best in market.

·       Working closely with Executive Head Chef and Culinary group to ensure a collegiate and joint effort in the sourcing from ethical and environmentally friendly materials and relevant vendors.

·       Review and develop the strategy for Kettle Cuisine purchasing department to include:  Supplier Matrix, Risk assessment, contingency planning, cost down / value in plans, make or buy evaluation, Global sourcing strategy, and profit improvement plans.  

Key Responsibilities:

·       Manage the new raw material sourcing process, gathering relevant cost, logistic, and technical information to supply the Development, Technical, Purchasing, and Finance teams for decision making purposes.

·       Attend weekly meetings as required.

·       Attend weekly Supply Chain Launch meeting.

·       Evaluate raw material costs for new and modified recipes.

·       Key member in the business wide innovation forum ensuring we create a culture where our people are engaged and willing to bring forward new ideas and ways to enhance both the internal and external stakeholders experience with tangible and valuable innovations not only in product but across the entire business spectrum.  

·       Work closely with the Director of Procurement to identify opportunities with both existing and new vendors, and existing and new raw materials.

·       Focus on external drivers and factors in relation to food and ingredient trends and fashions, investigate the competitor product activities and innovations.  

·       Seek new raw materials and processes that may enhance the business growth in sales and profitability.

 AS A LEADER WITHIN THE KETTLE CUISINE TEAM YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:

•            Model and support Kettle’s Core Values and safety culture     

•            Create a culture of accountability & performance      

•            Drive a focus on quality and continuous improvement            

•            Plan work, track results and resolve variances

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

•            Minimum of 5 years of experience in Procurement/Supply Chain and/or Food Manufacturing  

•            Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year College or University

•            Demonstrated excellence in driving consistently strong profitable sales growth

•            Experienced working with Procurement/Supply Chain Planning            

·               Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills

•            Strong Microsoft Office skills

•            Financial and business acumen

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES

•            Strategic Thinking and understanding

•            Project management and stakeholder engagement

•            Strong presentation skills

•            Fresh food industry expertise and experience     

•            Strong commercial focus and understanding

•            Financial know how related to margin and profitability

•            Strong Influencing skills and behaviors

•            Highly organized and clear communicator

•            Be a team player but independent spirit that challenges the status quo.

•            High standards of Quality both in Product and ways of working.

•            Challenging nature, Innovator / Risk taker.

•            Results driven finisher and completer.

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