SR Manager, Procurement Direct & Co-Manufacturing

Work Shift:

Day

Pay Type:

Salary

Hourly Rate (if applicable):

N/A

Targeted Base Salary Range (if applicable):

$126,900.00 - $164,700.00

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Manager, Procurement Direct & Co-Manufacturing is a key operational leader within the Procurement organization, responsible for end-to-end buying execution and supplier performance across Direct Materials (ingredients, packaging) and co-manufacturing. This role acts as the primary commercial interface with the Operations leadership team and serves as the procurement liaison supporting innovation and new product development.

This individual is expected to be execution-focused, commercially strong, and deeply involved in supplier negotiations, planning alignment, and operational problem-solving. Success requires disciplined follow-through, strong business judgment, and proactive cross-functional leadership.

Responsible for approximately $100M in spend across direct materials (including seasonings, oils and packaging) and co-manufacturing. Partners closely with Operations, Quality, Finance, Marketing, R&D, Engineering and Planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Own day-to-day procurement execution for all assigned categories, from demand alignment to contracting, ordering, and supplier performance.
• Ensure continuous supply to manufacturing facilities with minimal disruption; actively manage escalations.
• Translate business needs into robust sourcing strategies, negotiation plans, and execution roadmaps.
• Support innovation projects with timely sourcing, feasibility assessments, and supplier engagement.
• Develop and execute category strategies focused on cost, cash, service, quality, and risk.
• Identify and deliver year-over-year cost savings and productivity at or above targets.
• Build should-cost models to enhance negotiation leverage and cost transparency.
• Lead or co-lead major negotiations on pricing, commercial terms, and supply agreements.
• Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and implement optimization initiatives.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), including quarterly business reviews, scorecards, and corrective actions.
• Own supplier performance across cost, quality, service, and innovation metrics.
• Ensure contracts are maintained, actively managed, and enforceable.
• Develop risk-mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing, contingency stocks, and proactive supplier monitoring.
• Partner with Operations and Planning to ensure MRP accuracy, planning parameter updates, and robust replenishment logic.
• Reduce excess, obsolete, or slow-moving inventory through improved planning and sourcing decisions.
• Ensure alignment of procurement activities with production schedules, operational constraints, and inventory targets.
• Collaborate with Marketing and R&D to source materials for new product development and reformulations.
• Assess supplier technical capabilities and readiness to support growth and innovation initiatives.
• Provide early cost outlooks, feasibility reviews, and sourcing risks for project gating (Stage-Gate).
• Align procurement timelines with commercialization milestones.
• Fully leverage SAP and procurement systems to drive accuracy, automation, compliance, and transparency.
• Ensure RFQs, contracts, pricing updates, and vendor master data are complete, accurate, and audit-ready.
• Deploy new procurement technologies and digital tools to improve strategic sourcing and operational execution.
• Provide visibility into industry trends, supply market conditions, and key economic indicators.
• Issue regular updates on commodity cost movements, inflation/deflation, and risk forecasts.
• Report progress on savings, supplier performance, and category initiatives to Procurement and senior leadership.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree
• 8–12+ years of experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain or related fields.
• Proven success leading supplier negotiations, executing category strategies and delivering cost savings.
• Experience supporting Operations, Planning and manufacturing environments.
• Strong financial acumen, including Total Cost of Ownership, cost drivers and profit-and-loss impacts.
• Ability to travel 25–50%, including presence at manufacturing facilities at least one week per month.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

• Experience managing Direct Materials for manufacturing, ideally food/CPG (preferred but not required).
• SAP or major ERP experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with SRM programs, QBRs, and supplier scorecards.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and execution-driven, eager and engaged.
• Commercially sharp with strong negotiation instincts.
• Clear communicator who sets expectations, ensures follow-through, and holds suppliers accountable.
• Collaborative partner to Operations with a business-oriented mindset.
• Able to manage ambiguity, solve problems proactively, and make decisive calls under pressure.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Sacramento-based position with regular travel to manufacturing facilities (25–50%), including at least one week per month at plant locations.

 

Blue Diamond Growers is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer

​EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability

 

WHY BLUE DIAMOND?

In addition to working at the world’s largest, state-of-the-art almond manufacturer, we offer a safe and collaborative team environment, with numerous opportunities for free training and career advancement. Check out the BDG Benefits, Health & Wellness Guide HERE .

Grow your career. Partner with us. We Are the Almond People!

Ready to get started? Apply now!

Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. BDG provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information. BDG also complies with all provisions of the U.S. Government's Executive Order 11246 dated September 24, 1965 and the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.