Strategic Sourcing Manager - Co Manufacturing/Packaging

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Manager - Co Manufacturing/Packaging
Department: Finance / Strategic Sourcing
Reports to: Director of Strategic Sourcing, Indirects

Location: Modesto, CA

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing relationships with contract manufacturers, and ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement of high-quality products and services. This role will involve cross-functional collaboration with operations, planning, quality, and supply chain teams to determine internal capacity constraints and identify third party solutions that are able to supplement Thrive production demands outside of the companies' network. The successful candidate will have strong analytical skills, knowledge of contract manufacturing processes, and the ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers to support our company's growth.

Essential Functions Include:

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with contract manufacturing partners to ensure long-term collaboration and mutual benefit.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contract manufacturers, handling issues related to performance, compliance, and delivery.
• Monitor production schedules and capacity with contract manufacturers to mitigate risks and ensure on-time delivery.

Sourcing Supplier Development

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize supplier selection and contract negotiations.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new contract manufacturers that align with business needs and product specifications.
• Continuously assess the supplier base for improvement in terms of cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation.

Cost Management and Negotiation

• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable pricing, quality standards, and delivery terms.
• Work with finance and operations teams to establish budgets, cost forecasts, and track actuals against targets.

Quality and Compliance Oversight

• Work with internal the internal Quality team to ensure that suppliers meet quality standards and regulatory requirements for products.
• Partner with quality assurance teams to conduct audits and assessments of contract manufacturing facilities.
• Collaborate with regulatory teams to ensure products meet necessary certifications and standards.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify potential supply chain risks related to contract manufacturing and implement mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with contract manufacturers to enhance productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency.
• Implement contingency plans for critical suppliers to ensure business continuity.

Qualifications Include:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years' experience in sourcing, procurement, or operations.
• Experience within the food and beverage industry a plus
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to drive actionable insights and strategic decisions.
• Proficient in creating, monitoring, and maintaining key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure supplier performance, cost savings, and process efficiency.
• Communication. Possesses strong communication skills and can explain complex concepts at all levels of the organization.
• Continuous Improvement. Strong leadership and delivery of results.
• Critical Thinking. Forms good judgement when evaluating situations and reacting accordingly.
• Proactive Problem Solving. Acts in a proactive manner to communicate and solve problems.
• Product Knowledge. Demonstrates good working knowledge of product numbers and product usage and understand applications for use.
• Ability to identify positive financial outcomes to increase profitability.
• Quality Standards. Must be able to understand quality standards, methods and reporting as required.
• Relationships. Works with all teams to maintain effective relationships
• Value. Strong thought leadership on total value and ability to structurally understand pricing models.
• Vendor Management. Ability to effectively manage suppliers to achieve the best total results
• Food Safety: Work closely with Thrive Freeze Dry food safety team to ensure the highest level of Food Safety at our suppliers and internally as outlined in the company's Food Safety Policy and Procedure efforts.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform the following functions with or without accommodations:

• Ability to travel 40% of the time and for multiple days. Some international travel may be required
• Consistent and reliable attendance
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.