Procurement Manager-Meat

gpac is working with a well-established, rapidly growing national food manufacturer that is seeking a Procurement Manager-Meat for their facility in Western Kentucky.  This company focuses on providing great-tasting, nutritious food for K12 school foodservice customers and private brands of select retailers.This company has an exceptional team of motivated professionals who work well together in a fun, team-spirited environment and they are looking for the next “great fit” to join our expanding teamThe ideal candidate will have strong analytical, negotiation, and relationship management skills, with experience in protein sourcing and manufacturing environments.Key Responsibilities: Manage daily meat procurement activities, ensuring material availability to support production schedules and inventory targets.Monitor and analyze yield performance across suppliers and plants to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities.Oversee replenishment and order planning processes to maintain optimal stock levels and minimize waste.Evaluate supplier performance through scorecards—tracking quality, delivery, cost, yield, and responsiveness.Review and approve meat specifications, ensuring compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.Investigate and document any specification deviations, coordinating with Quality, R&D, and Operations to resolve issues promptly.Analyze supplier pricing versus contract terms to ensure accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with agreed cost structures.Determine, implement and track cost savings opportunities with suppliersEvaluate and source other procurement categories as directed using RFP and competitive biddingPartner with Finance and Operations to assess the financial impact of yield and pricing changes.Support new product development and reformulation projects by sourcing materials and providing pricing and availability input.Collaborate with Logistics and Supply Chain teams to optimize freight, cold storage, and inbound delivery performance.Maintain accurate and current procurement data, contracts, and pricing files in the ERP system.Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, fostering transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.  Key Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Animal Science, Meat Science, Business, or a related field.5–8 years of procurement experience in the meat or protein industry, preferably within a manufacturing or food processing environment.Experience managing raw material supply chains, with a strong grasp of meat specifications, USDA regulations, and cold chain logistics.Proven experience sourcing beef, pork, or poultry—including managing supplier relationships, contracts, and cost negotiations.Strong Negotiation skills with proven ability to balance cost, quality, and service while maintaining positive supplier relationships.Highly detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accuracy, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, production driven environment.Strong understanding of yield performance, cut testing, and cost modeling to drive margin improvement.Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, or similar) and advanced Excel/data analysis skills to track performance and costs.Familiarity with quality systems and specification management; able to partner effectively with QA and R&D teams.Analytical and data-driven, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights to evaluate supplier performance, yield variances, and cost opportunities.Excellent communication and relationship management abilities.Strategic thinker with a practical, hands-on approach. What's in it for You: Conpetitive market salaryGreat BenefitsAmazing advancement oppportunitiesRelocation assistance This company is urgently looking to make a hire and we are in the process of arranging interviews. For immediate consideration, please send your resume to greg.vogtgogpac.All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.