Director Strategic Sourcing- Proteins

Cracker Barrel•Lebanon, TN

About The Position

The Director, Strategic Sourcing - Protein leads enterprise sourcing strategy for assigned animal protein categories, which may include beef, pork, poultry, and processed protein products. The role is accountable for category strategy, commercial performance, supply continuity, supplier portfolio design, and commodity risk management across core menu items, limited-time offers, and innovation initiatives. As a senior internal and external category leader, the Director turns protein market dynamics, production economics, specifications, capacity, and supplier capabilities into recommendations that protect availability, strengthen quality and food safety, optimize total cost, and support long-range business objectives. The position develops and executes sourcing strategies; leads supplier relationships, negotiations, and risk-management efforts; and works across business functions to support menu and enterprise priorities. Some travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Agriculture, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, merchandising, or supply chain, including significant ownership of animal protein or other complex commodity categories.
Deep experience interpreting protein commodity markets, production economics, cutout and index relationships, processing capacity, yields, seasonality, and cost drivers to shape sourcing and risk-management strategies.
Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations, developing strategic suppliers, structuring market-based pricing, and delivering sustainable value beyond unit-cost reduction.
Proven ability to lead multiple enterprise initiatives, manage material business risk, and make sound decisions amid ambiguity, volatility, and competing priorities.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, challenge assumptions constructively, and drive enterprise alignment without direct authority.
Deep knowledge of animal protein sourcing and supply chains, including commodity markets, processing, capacity, yields, specifications, distribution, and cold-chain requirements.
Strong experience leading strategic supplier relationships, complex negotiations, contracts, and pricing agreements.
Ability to turn market trends, supplier information, operational needs, and financial data into clear recommendations and action.
Experience developing sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, food safety, guest expectations, innovation, supply continuity, and risk.
Strong financial and analytical skills, including forecasting, cost modeling, market/index analysis, and scenario planning.
Sound judgment and the ability to navigate commodity volatility, supply disruptions, and complex supplier challenges.
Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across senior leadership, suppliers, processors, distributors, and industry partners.
A disciplined, results-oriented approach with strong attention to data, commitments, and follow-through.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Experience supporting a multi-unit restaurant, foodservice, retail, food manufacturing, or protein-processing environment strongly preferred.
Experience developing category forecasts, scenario models, and contracting or hedging recommendations for volatile commodity exposure preferred.
CPSM, CSCP, or similar supply chain/procurement certifications (or equivalent experience) preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned protein categories, balancing cost, quality, availability, innovation, and supply continuity.
Lead strategic supplier relationships, performance management, capacity planning, and continuous improvement.
Negotiate complex supplier agreements, pricing structures, and commercial terms to deliver value and manage risk.
Monitor protein and commodity markets, anticipate supply and cost pressures, and develop strategies to mitigate business disruption.
Build a diverse, resilient supplier network to support core menu items, innovation, and limited-time offerings.
Serve as a protein category subject matter expert, providing market insights, cost forecasts, and sourcing recommendations to business leaders.
Partner with Culinary, Quality Assurance, Demand Planning, Operations, Distribution, Finance, and Legal to support business and menu priorities.
Identify and lead cost savings, value engineering, productivity, and supply-chain improvement opportunities.
Lead supplier escalations and business continuity efforts related to supply, quality, food safety, or service.
Some travel may be required.