Director, Strategic Sourcing

Smithfield Foods • Smithfield, VA

16h

About The Position

As the Director, Strategic Sourcing , you will lead enterprise-wide sourcing strategies for high-impact direct materials. You will manage approximately $1 billion in spend across 300+ vendors, guiding supplier selection, contract negotiations, and relationship development. You’ll oversee a team of direct and indirect reports, driving cost efficiencies, supply assurance, and quality through strategic partnerships and cross-functional collaboration. Your leadership will ensure procurement strategies are fully integrated with company goals while continuously improving cost management, sourcing processes, and vendor performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business, food science, packaging, agri-business, economics, engineering, supply chain or related discipline and 10+ years’ relevant experience in a multiple facility organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development is required.
• Progressive experience utilizing strategic sourcing methodology and techniques such as value stream management, lean concepts, and contractual alternatives.
• Proven ability in contract reading, writing, negotiation, and execution with a track record of delivering results.
• Strong PC skills with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); knowledge of Workday or other procurement tools is a plus.
• Strong project management skills to support cross-functional initiatives. Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Ability to navigate complex, unstructured problems. Must understand production planning and materials requirement planning (MRP).
• Must be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Up to 25% travel to manufacturing plants and vendor locations required.
• Demonstrated ability to be respectful, approachable, and supportive while fostering strong relationships and a positive work environment.

Nice To Haves

• SAP experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Strategic Procurement Initiatives: Develop and oversee procurement programs including purchasing, contract negotiation, vendor selection, and RFP processes with structured evaluation frameworks.
• Drive High-Stakes Negotiations: Apply expert negotiation strategies to secure favorable outcomes, maximize leverage, and manage complex, high-value agreements.
• Execute Cost Reduction Strategies: Establish and manage overall cost reduction goals and drive the execution of initiatives across direct material categories.
• Rick Management: Actively manage supply risks while ensuring procurement and regulatory policy compliance.
• Enhance Supplier Performance: Lead continuous improvement efforts in vendor service levels, adoption of new technologies, and overall alignment with business goals.
• Strengthen Cross-Functional Partnerships: Collaborate with key business leaders to understand needs, uncover cost-saving opportunities, and leverage purchasing power across the enterprise.
• Optimize Supply Chain Costs: Partner with production schedulers, plant teams, and purchasing leads to reduce costs while maintaining supply continuity and material quality.
• Standardize Vendor Relationships: Review and optimize purchasing arrangements to consolidate SKUs and improve cost and service performance with the vendor community.
• Leadership: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees