Fruit Sourcing Lead - Global Procurement

KIND Snacks•Chicago, IL

1d•$125,000 - $155,000

About The Position

Since Day 1, KIND has had a vision for a kinder and healthier world. A world in which people never have to choose between what tastes good, feels good, and does good when it comes to their snacking. Our iconic KIND® bars – made with real, recognizable ingredients – sparked the growth of an entirely new healthy snacking category back in 2004. Now, KIND has a family of more than 80 snacks that offer solutions for a variety of occasions. All of KIND's products lead with a nutrient-dense first ingredient – like nuts or whole grains – and do not contain genetically engineered ingredients, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. We’re looking for passionate collaborators to help us become the foremost leader in health & wellness and positively impact society along the way. If you’re looking to be a part of an inspiring, energetic and entrepreneurial environment, you’ve found the right place. What you'll do As the Fruit Sourcing Lead– Global Procurement you will play a critical role in Mars Health and Wellness’s Procurement organization. You will work collaboratively with global cross functional teams (BU Procurement, SQA, R&D, Ops, Finance) to support the creation of strategies and support Trü Frü, KIND, and Nature’s Bakery globally. You will drive business continuity and risk mitigation, collaborate on value leadership/innovation initiatives, be an owner in the SRM process, and deliver in the continuous improvement in the Value Chain. And this is how you will do it…. Strategic development and execution of integrated business buying strategy for a diverse range of fruit products; (IQF, Dried/Freeze Dried, Fruit Pastes, etc) achieving cost, cash, quality and service targets. Focused on strategic goals linked to critical business needs. Collaborate with suppliers, external manufacturing partners to manage inbound supply for production (forecasts, order tracking, pricing, etc). Rigorously apply the Strategic Sourcing Methodology to develop the appropriate procurement strategy and selection of key suppliers. Lead cost reduction initiatives and continually optimize inbound supply chain and fit for purpose specifications for materials. Analyze commodity and economic markets; accurately assess supply and demand; identify and manage market risks and opportunities; build a buying plan and adjust price risk management strategy based on insights. Provide cyclical estimates on buying performances versus pervious cycle, budget and market updates in Commodity Buying Forum. Accountable for cash delivery from supplier payment terms and deployment of supplier financing where appropriate. Drive continuous improvement of material quality, specification management and logistics performance of the suppliers. Represent Procurement at various activity team meetings with timely and accurate information related to innovation. Influence the external environment for competitive advantage or for the good of the industry. Be a catalyst for innovation by being the eyes and ears of the company in seeking out new materials, new origins, new opportunities for competitive advantage. Contract recommendations for Commodities are made by this position. What you'll bring to Mars Strong collaboration skills and can work cross-functionally to create opportunities, improve process and execute projects. Understanding of Integrated Business Processes and support of innovation tied to output. Experience managing suppliers in a Supplier Performance or Relationship Management program (SPM/SRM) which has improved suppliers’ performance and impact. Ability to work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment. Ability to support development of, and execute, a 2-5 year strategy. Previous experience in agricultural ingredients, commodities Track record of identifying and delivering value leadership opportunities, driving growth for the organization. You are... Able to generate high-quality work in a collaborative, creative, ever-changing, and sometimes ambiguous environment. Well organized and can work on multiple initiatives, while moving actions to completion to hit timelines. You get things done. An effective communicator, highly collaborative and build great relationships, with the ability to hold the tension when appropriate. Highly analytical and inquisitive, moving data into insights that you clearly communicate, and which can be easily understood. Passionate about sustainability and wellness. You look for opportunities to reduce our environmental impact and support wellness initiatives. Highly ethical and trustworthy, inspiring trust in others. Proactive and energetic, always looking for ways to improve or take things to the next level. Extremely curious and are an innate problem solver. You love to learn and continuously grow your skills. You have... Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Food Science, or Engineering preferred; MBA or MS a plus. 5-7 years relevant working experience, with at least 3 years in a Fortune 500 Procurement organization or equivalent. Prior experience in vendor qualification program. Prior experience in supplier led innovation. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multi-functional teams, especially with R&D, Operations, and manufacturing sites. Successful execution of strategic sourcing initiatives in multiple Procurement categories. Demonstrated track record of implemented year over year cost savings initiatives and ability to develop a cost savings project pipeline. Highly analytical and proficient in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel. Proficiency in PowerPoint.

Requirements

Strong collaboration skills and can work cross-functionally to create opportunities, improve process and execute projects.
Understanding of Integrated Business Processes and support of innovation tied to output.
Experience managing suppliers in a Supplier Performance or Relationship Management program (SPM/SRM) which has improved suppliers’ performance and impact.
Ability to work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Ability to support development of, and execute, a 2-5 year strategy.
Previous experience in agricultural ingredients, commodities
Track record of identifying and delivering value leadership opportunities, driving growth for the organization.
Able to generate high-quality work in a collaborative, creative, ever-changing, and sometimes ambiguous environment.
Well organized and can work on multiple initiatives, while moving actions to completion to hit timelines.
An effective communicator, highly collaborative and build great relationships, with the ability to hold the tension when appropriate.
Highly analytical and inquisitive, moving data into insights that you clearly communicate, and which can be easily understood.
Passionate about sustainability and wellness. You look for opportunities to reduce our environmental impact and support wellness initiatives.
Highly ethical and trustworthy, inspiring trust in others.
Proactive and energetic, always looking for ways to improve or take things to the next level.
Extremely curious and are an innate problem solver. You love to learn and continuously grow your skills.
5-7 years relevant working experience, with at least 3 years in a Fortune 500 Procurement organization or equivalent.
Prior experience in vendor qualification program.
Prior experience in supplier led innovation.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multi-functional teams, especially with R&D, Operations, and manufacturing sites.
Successful execution of strategic sourcing initiatives in multiple Procurement categories.
Demonstrated track record of implemented year over year cost savings initiatives and ability to develop a cost savings project pipeline.
Highly analytical and proficient in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel.
Proficiency in PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Food Science, or Engineering preferred; MBA or MS a plus.

Responsibilities

Strategic development and execution of integrated business buying strategy for a diverse range of fruit products; (IQF, Dried/Freeze Dried, Fruit Pastes, etc) achieving cost, cash, quality and service targets.
Focused on strategic goals linked to critical business needs.
Collaborate with suppliers, external manufacturing partners to manage inbound supply for production (forecasts, order tracking, pricing, etc).
Rigorously apply the Strategic Sourcing Methodology to develop the appropriate procurement strategy and selection of key suppliers.
Lead cost reduction initiatives and continually optimize inbound supply chain and fit for purpose specifications for materials.
Analyze commodity and economic markets; accurately assess supply and demand; identify and manage market risks and opportunities; build a buying plan and adjust price risk management strategy based on insights.
Provide cyclical estimates on buying performances versus pervious cycle, budget and market updates in Commodity Buying Forum.
Accountable for cash delivery from supplier payment terms and deployment of supplier financing where appropriate.
Drive continuous improvement of material quality, specification management and logistics performance of the suppliers.
Represent Procurement at various activity team meetings with timely and accurate information related to innovation.
Influence the external environment for competitive advantage or for the good of the industry.
Be a catalyst for innovation by being the eyes and ears of the company in seeking out new materials, new origins, new opportunities for competitive advantage.
Contract recommendations for Commodities are made by this position.

Benefits

401(K) or RRSP's with generous company match
Flexible Paid Time Off. Choose what works best for you, including summer hours.
Paid parental leave.
Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you & your family’s needs
Company paid disability and life insurance to provide income protection
Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing via programs like Employee Assistance Program, a wellness subsidy, healthy food options and gym facility in HQ.
Casual office dress code– feel free to wear your KIND gear
Stock up on your favorite KIND bars to share with your family & friends, through a quarterly voucher
Training & tuition reimbursement program, because continuing to learn matters and we support your development
A dynamic, ambitious, fun and KIND work environment
Charitable Donation Matching: KIND matches your charitable donations up to $1000 annually through our donation matching portal.