Chief Procurement Officer

Makers Pride • Downers Grove, IL

20h • $270,000 - $330,000

About The Position

With annual revenues of over $3 billion, we are the largest contract manufacturer of food products in the United States and the largest private bakery in the industry. With 27 manufacturing facilities across North America, the company specializes in producing a wide range of food items including baked goods, refrigerated and frozen foods, salty snacks, granola and nutrition bars. We offer end-to-end commercialization services from product development and R&D to packaging and logistics, serving our customers that produce many of the world’s leading consumer brands. Reporting to the CFO, the Chief Procurement Officer will be a strategic, enterprise-wide leader responsible for transforming procurement into a value-driving function. With responsibility for over $2 billion in annual procurement spend, this executive will lead efforts to centralize procurement operations, enhance governance, and leverage scale across the organization to drive efficiency, cost savings, and risk mitigation, especially in commodity sourcing. This position will be headquartered in Downers Grove, IL. As a key member of the executive finance leadership team, the CPO will partner closely with their cross-functional peers to align procurement strategy with Maker’s Pride’s business objectives. The CPO will also have significant interaction with the CEO, CFO, COO and other senior leaders and will provide executive level presence and leadership, giving clear direction to the procurement team and bringing a strategic, solution-oriented approach that goes beyond tactical purchasing. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in food manufacturing and commodity risk management, along with a proven track record of leading transformational change in complex, multi-site organizations.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive procurement leadership experience, preferably in food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.
• Proven success in commodity risk management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide transformation and centralization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of contract manufacturing, packaging, and food safety standards.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP)
• Lean Six Sigma or similar process improvement credentials

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with Maker’s Pride’s growth and operational goals.
• Lead enterprise-wide transformation of procurement processes, systems, and governance.
• Identify and implement opportunities to centralize procurement functions and leverage scale for cost optimization and improved controls.
• Build and lead a best-in-class commodity risk management program focused on key inputs across food categories.
• Monitor global commodity markets and develop hedging strategies to mitigate volatility and ensure supply continuity.
• Partner with finance and operations to align procurement decisions with financial forecasts and production needs.
• Oversee vendor selection, onboarding, performance evaluation, and relationship management.
• Negotiate contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs) to ensure favorable terms and risk mitigation.
• Implement vendor scorecards and continuous improvement programs.
• Drive procurement performance through data-driven decision-making, supplier scorecards, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers, ensuring quality, reliability, and innovation.
• Oversee contract negotiations, supplier onboarding, and compliance with regulatory and internal standards.
• Implement robust procurement policies, procedures, and systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with legal, finance, and compliance teams to manage risk and ensure adherence to corporate standards.
• Champion a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement across the procurement organization.
• Lead change management initiatives to align stakeholders, build capabilities, and drive adoption of new processes and technologies.
• Manages team of corporate HQ based procurement professionals as well as staff located at various manufacturing locations.
• Build and develop a high-performing procurement team with deep category expertise and strategic sourcing capabilities.
• Foster a collaborative, performance-driven culture that aligns with Maker’s Pride’s values and business priorities.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment.
• The position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive based on company and individual performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive