Director Strategic Sourcing I

Albertsons Companies • Pleasanton, CA

4d • $118,100 - $165,380

About The Position

Albertsons Companies is hiring a Director Strategic Sourcing for its Meat, Own Brands category. The role leads a team of sourcing professionals responsible for annual spend exceeding $500 million. The Director will develop category and supplier strategies, use formal sourcing processes to improve sales and productivity, and collaborate with suppliers and teams across Merchandising, Own Brands, Replenishment, Supply Chain, Transportation, Finance, Packaging, and Legal. The position calls for an entrepreneurial, results-oriented leader who is comfortable with ambiguity and able to build consensus, develop people, and maintain a strong focus on collaboration and professionalism.

The Director will formulate and execute sourcing plans for meat categories, including beef, pork, and poultry; lead supplier negotiations; assess market and cost dynamics; and manage supplier performance and relationships. The role also includes developing financial plans and forecasts, identifying cost savings and supply risks, supporting sustainable packaging and other ESG initiatives, and ensuring reliable supply. The Director recruits, hires, retains, and develops sourcing professionals, sets team priorities, and communicates objectives and progress to leadership.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in retail meat and poultry sourcing and procurement, strong people-management capabilities, expert knowledge of strategic sourcing, and a record of successful category strategies, sustainability and traceability initiatives, and significant cost savings. A bachelor's degree in a related field is required; an MBA is preferred. Familiarity with USDA/FDA standards, perishability, and packaging is a plus.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Meat Science, Food Science, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in retail meat and poultry sourcing and procurement, including commodity and value-added products.
• Two to three years of experience leading strategic sourcing professionals, with strong people-management skills.
• Expert knowledge of formal strategic sourcing processes and methodologies.
• Thorough understanding of commodity markets and key market drivers.
• Deep understanding of meat and poultry industry specifications, production systems, quality grades, and animal-raising processes, and/or meat categories, sourcing regions, quality standards, and market dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience driving sustainability and traceability initiatives within sourcing.
• Ability to interpret raw-material and finished-good specifications and evaluate cost implications and opportunities.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including identifying root causes and developing and executing solutions.
• History of developing and delivering successful category strategies and significant cost-savings initiatives.
• Experience managing executive relationships involving multi-million-dollar spend.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and develop solutions aligned with department and company strategies and culture.
• Strong oral, written, and formal presentation skills, including communicating complex solutions and findings.
• Strong time, meeting, presentation, and program skills, including proficiency in MS Office.
• Strong initiative, creative problem-solving ability, and sense of urgency.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Strong customer support skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to lead with vulnerability and authenticity.

Nice To Haves

• MBA preferred.
• Familiarity with USDA/FDA standards, perishability, and packaging.

Responsibilities

• Develop mutually beneficial sourcing practices with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive sales and productivity improvements.
• Lead supplier and cross-functional meetings to identify business opportunities and consumer trends.
• Maintain long-term supplier relationships and ensure supply availability.
• Partner with Finance on financial plans, forecasts, and potential P&L impacts related to sourcing commodities, goods, and services.
• Partner with packaging personnel to identify sustainable packaging materials and other ESG solutions for Own Brands products.
• Partner with Legal to facilitate negotiation of Own Brands contract terms and conditions.
• Manage supplier performance metrics and KPIs to ensure service levels are met.
• Recruit, interview, and hire sourcing professionals; retain, develop, and grow the Strategic Sourcing team.
• Set team priorities, provide leadership updates, and communicate objectives to support senior management initiatives.
• Lead category strategy development and planning, maturity and opportunity assessments, and supplier relationship management.
• Formulate and execute strategic sourcing plans for meat categories in alignment with business objectives.
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and conditions while ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Research meat-industry trends, pricing, and supply-chain dynamics, including beef, pork, and poultry.
• Monitor market trends, price fluctuations, and industry news to identify risks and opportunities.
• Analyze meat commodity cost structures and identify cost savings and efficiencies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with meat suppliers, evaluating quality, reliability, and pricing.

Benefits

• Competitive wages paid weekly.
• Access to up to 50% of earned wages before payday through the company's partnership with Stream.
• Associate discounts.
• Medical, dental, 401(k), and other health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates.
• Vacation, holidays, and sick pay, subject to eligibility requirements.
• Training, career growth, and development opportunities.
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities served.
• The job posting describes the work-life balance as great.

What This Job Offers

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