Director of Procurement

Blue Diamond Growers • Sacramento, CA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Procurement is the operational leader of the procurement function, accountable for delivering cost, cash, service, and risk objectives across a $400m+ annual spend portfolio. This role leads a team of procurement professionals and is expected to be hands-on, commercially sharp, and deeply involved in supplier negotiations, sourcing decisions, and day-to-day execution. The role requires strong business judgment, disciplined follow-through, and clear people leadership.

Requirements

• 10+ years in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain roles with direct negotiation responsibility.
• Proven experience managing large spend portfolios ($250m+ preferred).
• Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations (pricing, terms, capacity, contracts).
• Experience managing both direct and indirect spend.
• Strong people leadership skills with a hands-on, accountable management style.
• Solid financial acumen (cost drivers, P&L impact, working capital).
• SAP experience strongly preferred.
• Results-driven, decisive, and comfortable operating in detail.
• Clear communicator who sets expectations and follows through.
• Commercially minded, not process-theoretical.
• Willing to step into negotiations and execution when required.
• Builds credibility through delivery, not presentation

Nice To Haves

• Industry experience in food, CPG, manufacturing, or agriculture is a plus but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Operational Procurement Leadership Own end-to-end procurement execution, from demand alignment and sourcing strategy through contracting, ordering, and supplier performance. Ensure procurement supports production continuity, innovation timelines, and business priorities with minimal disruption. Be actively involved in key sourcing decisions and negotiations, especially for high-value, high-risk, or strategic suppliers. Translate business needs into clear sourcing plans, negotiation strategies, and execution roadmaps.
• Spend Ownership & Value Delivery Deliver year-over-year cost savings, cash improvements, and risk mitigation in line with AOP targets. Personally lead or sponsor major negotiations (pricing, payment terms, capacity commitments, service levels). Drive vendor consolidation where it improves leverage, simplicity, and total cost of ownership. Track, validate, and report realized savings, not just negotiated savings, in partnership with Finance.
• Supplier & Contract Management Own the supplier relationship model for top strategic and high-risk suppliers. Ensure contracts are commercially sound, enforceable, and actively managed (pricing, service levels, penalties, renewal timing). Lead supplier performance reviews, including corrective actions for underperformance. Escalate and resolve supply, quality, or commercial disputes decisively.
• Inventory, Planning & Replenishment Oversight Oversee replenishment and MRP execution to balance service, inventory levels, and working capital. Partner with Operations and Finance to set and adjust planning parameters, safety stocks, and reorder logic. Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory through better sourcing and planning decisions.
• Team Leadership & Accountability Lead execution-focused team with clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations. Coach buyers on negotiation preparation, supplier management, and commercial thinking. Hold the team accountable for deadlines, accuracy, follow-through, and results. Ensure workload is balanced and execution does not rely on heroics or individual workarounds.
• Cross-Functional Business Partnership Act as a commercial partner to Operations, Finance, Engineering, Marketing, R&D, and Quality. Support new product introductions and innovation with timely sourcing, cost models, and supplier readiness. Align procurement actions with financial targets, operational constraints, and growth initiatives.
• Systems, Data & Process Discipline Ensure disciplined use of SAP and procurement processes (RFQs, contracts, POs, vendor master data) promoting automation and process adherence Drive consistency, transparency, and auditability in procurement execution. Use data to manage spend, supplier performance, and team productivity — not spreadsheets owned by individuals.

Benefits

• 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 .
• In addition to a robust benefits package, we offer an employee wellness and fitness program, in which a majority of our workforce currently participates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed