Strategic Sourcing Manager

The Strategic Sourcing Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing enterprise-wide sourcing strategies for key ingredients and packaging material to support the business needs while ensuring cost efficiencies, continuous improvement, and optimization of resources. The Strategic Sourcing Manager will drive local, regional, and international sourcing strategies to deliver long-term competitive advantages to the business. This position will be a partner and work cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Operations, R&D, Quality, Finance and Sales amongst others. This role will report to the Vice President of Procurement.

Role & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies that ensure consistent supply, timely delivery, and high-quality materials to meet the diverse business needs.
• Lead strategist to leverage scale across the organization, drives cost efficiencies across spend categories with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Achieve competitive price advantage through market insights including relevant domestic and international macro-economic factors. Proactively identify and take advantage of opportunistic market situations within assigned categories.
• Identify and evaluate sourcing opportunities while mitigating supply risk and ensuring stability of the supply chain.
• Supplier Relationship Manager (SRM) fostering strong partnerships across the local and global supply base for assigned categories. Primary point of contact and interface with supplier for Vibrant Ingredients business.
• Optimize the supply base to allow for continuity, growth, and innovation.
• Negotiate long-term supply agreements that provide the organization with a competitive advantage.
• Manage all contracts and master supply agreements, ensuring adherence to contractual shipment and/or delivery schedules, pricing, and quality requirements.
• Coordinate logistics with suppliers including but not limited to inland and/or ocean freight, import/exports when applicable.
• Collaborate with R&D/QA to identify and approve new materials, technologies and suppliers that drive innovation across our product platforms.
• Ensure ingredients sourced meet all product specifications, quality and regulatory requirements and any unique customer needs.
• Conduct supplier evaluations and drive performance improvements across the supply base.
• Partners with internal stakeholders and work cross-functionally to support the business needs.

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience working in the procurement & sourcing field with strong knowledge of direct or indirect categories.
• Highly preferred experience includes sourcing of agriculture products, food, ingredients and packaging.
• Specific knowledge of sourcing Tea, Coffee, Botanicals or Fruits & Vegetables is ideal.
• Financial and Business acumen including managing PPV, P&L, continuous improvement, cash flow management, spend analysis and supply / demand forecasting.
• Extensive knowledge of managing Import/Export and Trade Compliance.
• Capacity to identify, develop and evaluate a strong and reliable supplier network.
• Ability to demonstrate proven results with contract negotiations.
• Proven leadership and team building skills with the ability to coach and mentor as needed.
• Capacity to persuade and influence others, demonstrate resilience, and manage through ambiguity.
• Strong project management skills in support of cross functional team activities.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions in a complex and fast-moving environment.
• Data driven decision makers with the ability to quickly analyze data to draw conclusions.
• Good interpersonal and conflict management skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in ERP systems such Microsoft Business Central, Great Plains or other common systems.
• Excellent PC skills: MS Office, including a high proficiency level with Excel.
• Flexibility to travel up to 10%+ of the time or as required by the business.

Preferred Experiences & Education

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 6+ years experience sourcing Tea, Coffee, Fruits & Vegetables and managing their respective supply chain.
• 8+ years of experience sourcing packaging material.
• 10+ years of experience working in food manufacturing.
• 10+ years of experience working in or with the food service industry.
• 10+ years of experience working in or with the consumer package goods (CPG) industry.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional. (CSCP

About Vibrant Ingredients

Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world's leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American-made products, which enhance both taste and functionality. Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented cold brew extraction, custom flavor development, and a range of drying and blending technologies. Operating from four state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we ensure the accessibility of real, high-quality ingredients—helping our customers create better-for-you food and beverage for consumers.