Dir Procurement and Supply Chain Operations (72552)

Ventura Coastal, LLC•Visalia, CA

5d•$170,000 - $210,000•Onsite

About The Position

This is a head-of role with real ownership. You will architect the strategy, develop the team, and own the outcomes. Reporting to a C-suite leader with heavy engagement from the owner/CEO, manufacturing leadership, the Director of Procurement and Supply Chain Operations will stand up and lead a newly consolidated function spanning procurement, inventory, logistics and transportation. We are looking for a builder and a strategist. Someone energized by building structure where none exists, comfortable operating without a playbook while writing one in realtime, and at home in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment where your work directly shapes the company's next chapter.

Requirements

Strong business and operational mindset with the ability to identify the key financial and service levers and translate them into actionable strategy with measurable outcomes
Skilled negotiator with a track record of creating win-win outcomes and closing contracts aligned with business objectives
Hands-on leader and doer with a track record of leading high-performing teams, cultivating talent, and leading by example
Skilled at aligning cross-functional leaders through influence, credibility, and clear communication
Experience leading change, process and system improvements, and transformation initiatives
10 or more years of progressive procurement and sourcing experience, ideally in a mid-size or larger manufacturing or industrial organization
Deep knowledge of procurement best practices, supplier management, contract development and a demonstrated ability to deliver cost savings and manage supplier risk
Working knowledge of supply chain operations including inventory management, logistics, transportation and demand planning principles
Experience leading enterprise-wide project management initiatives, including technology implementations, facility changes, and cross-functional transformation efforts
Approachable, collaborative relationship builder who earns trust across all levels and communicates with clarity and confidence to diverse audiences
Entrepreneurial spirit with an innovative, solutions-oriented mindset
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field
Strong ERP experience, advanced Excel proficiency, and comfort with procurement and supply chain systems
Must reside within reasonable driving distance of Visalia, CA.
Ability to do day travel between work locations in Central California.
In-office daily presence required; we are a collaborative, in-person culture

Nice To Haves

MBA and/or CPSM certification a plus

Responsibilities

Design and stand up the organizational structure of a newly consolidated function, defining roles, reporting lines, and team accountabilities from the ground up
Architect and own a procurement and supply chain strategy, translating business goals into an operational plan that drives growth, margin improvement, and scalability
Establish policies, procedures, and best practices from the ground up, replacing ad hoc approaches with documented, scalable standards across all functions
Serve as the head of procurement and all supply chain functions, lead managers and teams in a player-coach capacity to build capability and drive high performance
Be a strategic partner to the owner/CEO and executive leadership team on company-wide planning, investment, and growth
Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to integrate supply chain strategies into business priorities and ensure seamless execution
Lead procurement and strategic sourcing, drive performance transformation through process optimization, supplier segmentation, contract lifecycle management
Own vendor development and all procurement contracts, developing company-side agreements across all non-fruit materials, supplies, equipment, and services
Establish governance frameworks ensuring compliance, audit readiness, ethical sourcing, and supplier performance accountability
Evaluate and modernize procurement systems and tools to improve efficiency and scalability
Establish and maintain inventory standards, policies, item specifications, and the controls and cadences that drive accuracy
Lead demand planning to align safety stock, reorder points, and inventory positioning with production schedules and customer service targets
Oversee end-to-end inbound and outbound operations, including 3PL partnerships and co-manufacturer coordination
Build and manage logistics providers relationships, holding accountable to performance standards in service, cost, and continuous improvement
Align logistics capacity with demand planning and production schedules to meet buyer-specific fulfillment requirements
Direct the mix of shipping methods and lead carrier contract and bidding cycles to balance service and cost across all lanes
Manage carrier relationships and hold providers accountable to service, cost, and compliance metrics
Drive savings through lane consolidation while maintaining DOT and food-safety cold chain compliance