Sr. Procurement Manager – Raw Materials, Packaging & Merchandise
Smalls is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Senior Procurement Manager to drive our efforts in sourcing raw proteins, meats, merchandise and packaging materials, including consumer-facing and direct-to-consumer (DTC) packaging. This role will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies to secure high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective materials.
What You'll Do
Strategic Sourcing (Domestic & Global):
Develop and implement sourcing strategies for all materials, ensuring alignment with company goals for quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, conducting thorough assessments of their capabilities, quality standards, and sustainability practices.
Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to achieve optimal value while maintaining quality and supply chain resilience.
Run RFPs as needed, to identify new vendors & keep cost optimized.
Streamline Small’s global supply chain, ensuring the company has optimal procedures to get materials quickly & cost effectively through freight & customs.
Supplier Relationship Management:
Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, fostering collaboration and ensuring consistent supply of high-quality ingredients, merchandise and packaging materials.
Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, and compliance with contractual agreements.
Address and resolve any supplier-related issues promptly to minimize disruptions to production & fulfillment.
Market Analysis & Risk Management:
Stay informed about global market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain risks related to raw proteins, meats, merchandise and packaging materials.
Proactively identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
Conduct regular benchmarking and cost analysis to ensure competitive pricing and value.
Analyze cost performance & projections monthly and report any variation risks to Finance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with S&OP, R&D, Quality Assurance, Production, and Marketing teams to stay close to product launch timelines, understand ingredient and packaging requirements, and ensure alignment with product formulations, brand standards and production planning.
Manage testing & execution of new materials, in collaboration with the Operations teams.
Partner closely with the Finance team to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.
Support new product development by sourcing innovative and high-quality ingredients and packaging materials.
Sustainability & Compliance:
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all sourced ingredients and packaging materials meet regulatory requirements and company standards for quality and safety.
Drive initiatives to source sustainable and ethically produced raw proteins, merchandise and packaging materials, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
What We’ll Love About You
You have 8+ years experience leading procurement strategy and execution, ideally across complex or global categories.
You excel at building strong & strategic supplier relationships.
You have a deep understanding of global protein and meat markets, including pricing dynamics, seasonality, and supply risk.
You understand global packaging & merchandise supply chains and have the ability to manage complex procurement processes.
You have direct procurement experience with perishable products, including considerations around shelf life, food safety, and supply continuity.
You thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and are comfortable managing multiple competing priorities.
You have strong analytical skills and can clearly present RFP outcomes, cost analyses, and sourcing strategies using G-Suite tools.
You are a strong communicator who builds trust and influences decision-making across functions and at all levels of the organization.
What you’ll love about us:
Mission-Driven Company: We love cats and we're here to make nine lives ten.
People-Driven Company: We treat our people like people; we're committed to Smalls, and we work hard but also respect everyone’s lives outside of work.
Data-Driven Culture: We love using data to guide decision-making where appropriate, but we also know when to move quickly and go with our gut.
Competitive Salary: Make some $$$.
Very Competitive Benefits: Fully paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance. 4-day work week. Unlimited PTO.
Fully Remote Office & Culture: Our team is spread across the US day to day, but we travel for department & company off-sites and retreats.
Free Product: Free cat food every month.