Sourcing Manager, Indirect

Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Sourcing Manager, Indirect to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry. Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime , provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company. Being a partner to the communities that surround us – and the environment that sustains us – are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here’s the scoop - Summary

The Sourcing Manager, Indirect is responsible for developing category strategies that meet company objectives, and for leading supplier selection, management and performance, related to sourcing and procurement of various indirect materials and services categories such as Information Technology, Marketing, HR, Kitchen MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operation) and Corporate Services. The role has accountability for driving year over year cost improvements and works collaboratively with several departments and leaders, along with Champion’s parent company (Mars) Global Services to lead and coordinate strategic sourcing and supply management projects. Key stakeholders include leaders in Finance, Human Resources, IT, Marketing and Supply Chain.

This position reports to the Director, Procurement and Ingredient Management and is a remote role based mainly out of a home-based office, with travel to Champion and Mars locations required.

What a typical day looks like:

• Design and execute Indirect category strategies that align to Champion Petfoods’ business strategies (e.g. conduct spend analysis, align business objectives, conduct supply market analysis, etc.)
• Partner with various functions to develop category strategies that are highly aligned to current and future business needs and that the supply base is capable of supporting.
• Oversee implementation of category plans – ensure that the process improvement and procurement activities deliver the expected business value in accordance with the strategic plans.
• Remain current on category drivers to ensure strategy remains aligned to business objectives.
• Provide fact-based recommendations to executive level management for constructing the best overall strategic buy decisions.
• Effectively document, communicate and gain buy-in across the stakeholder base to ensure alignment.
• Drive strategic Indirect supplier selection and relationship cultivation.
• Lead the supplier selection process through management of formal RFP, RFQ and RFI processes.
• Develop and negotiate long term purchasing contracts that include favorable pricing, payment terms, volume growth incentives, year-over-year productivity gains (savings) and advanced supply chain optimization programs such as supplier-owned inventory, just-in-time delivery schedules, and reduced lead times.
• Develop and manage suppliers for contract compliance.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers.
• Support Supplier Development efforts with strategic Indirect suppliers that aggressively manage cost and increase value to the business.
• Partner with strategic suppliers to develop joint initiatives aimed at driving value creation.
• Partner with suppliers and Champion Petfoods functions to reduce throughput and lead times.
• Maintain a deep understanding of supply market dynamics for assigned categories.
• Provide specific category expertise for internal customers and Procurement leadership.
• Remain current with market trends, internal customer needs and business needs.
• Conduct thorough analysis of supply market to identify innovative technologies and solutions.
• Achieve annual value improvements for Indirect categories.
• Performs required business analysis with a strategic focus on total cost of ownership.
• Continuously seeks out cost savings opportunities and lead efforts to realize the savings.
• Measure and track overall progress against performance metrics.
• Support Mars Global Services initiatives
• Align with Mars Global Services on supplier spend that is within scope of shared services.
• Partner with key MGS stakeholders on resources and ways of working together.
• Manage supplier performance.
• Work cross-functionally to determine key performance metrics, scorecard supplier performance, monitor for improvement.
• Promote compliance with Supplier code of conduct and ensuring by personal example and coaching the practice of ethical business behavior and use reasonable care to monitor supplier.
• Oversees major supplier quality issues and assists operations in problem resolution as required. Conducts benchmarking to identify and implement best practices for supplier quality and Supplier Development systems and processes.
• Acts as an escalation point for negotiating with supplier(s) in the event of non-performance.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management or related field.
• 5 years of experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, or Production Management.
• 3-5 years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods or Pet Food Industry.
• Knowledge of and experience in proactive Supplier Development activities (root cause problem solving, lean manufacturing).
• Experience working with multiple internal customers / business / functional units.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Project Management Skills – demonstrated ability to bring projects to conclusion.
• Understanding of cost of goods and selling general and administrative expenses.
• Ability to think strategically and champion ideas.
• Capable of effectively interacting and influencing all levels in an organization.
• Ability to work with critical deadlines, energetic and self motivated.
• Must be able to attend and conduct presentations.
• Must be able to physically inspect company property and assets.
• Travel may be required.
• Work hours may include extended days and weekends, as necessary.

What can you expect from Champion?**

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings: Competitive wages that give financial peace of mind, 401k with company match.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision and employee assistance programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education: In house & online learning & development, as well as an education assistance program.
• Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks: Free bag of premium pet food each month.

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.