Manager Contract Manufacturing Procurement

Conagra Brands • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Contract Manufacturing, you will manage the identification and selection of contract manufacturing partners and negotiation of contracts to support needs including innovation, capacity, and network optimization. You will lead a regimented approach to contract negotiations using standardized processes and templates, ensure alignment across cross‑functional partners, and develop long‑term relationships with external manufacturers to drive growth, innovation, and productivity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven or more years of experience across plant operations, engineering, supply chain, distribution, or procurement.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional teams and managing complex projects.
• Proven experience in contract manufacturing development and negotiations.
• Customer and internal stakeholder focused approach.
• Broad operational and marketplace knowledge with experience in a relevant category.
• Willingness to travel approximately fifteen to twenty‑five percent, primarily within the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing and selection process for finished goods contract manufacturing partners to meet business, capacity, innovation, service, and quality needs.
• Complete total delivered cost analyses, including raw material procurement, operational costs, transportation, and warehousing, while balancing service and quality performance.
• Lead contract design and negotiations with existing and new contract manufacturing partners, including evaluation of alternative solutions, rigorous financial analysis, and alignment with Legal, key stakeholders, and the Vice President of Procurement for Contract Manufacturing.
• Benchmark the competitive landscape within the food industry for technology, innovation, available capacity, and productivity strategies using market data and cost modeling.
• Develop and maintain risk management plans for supplemental production options to mitigate service disruptions from internal or external manufacturing interruptions.
• Manage finished goods projects through commercialization, ensuring specifications are established prior to production and all parameters are achieved during product trials.
• Provide project management support for business growth, innovation, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Establish and maintain effective communication across Brand, Marketing, Research and Development, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, and Product Supply teams.
• Partner with internal manufacturing and operations teams to align contract manufacturing strategies with broader company manufacturing and capacity strategies.
• Support the Procurement function in developing short‑ and long‑term manufacturing and capacity strategies aligned with current and future marketing plans.

Benefits

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

What This Job Offers

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