Procurement Director

Ornua Co-operative Limited•Town of Woodville, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Ornua is actively seeking a Procurement Director to join the Ornua Family as we continue our growth trajectory. This position will play a key role in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of all dairy and non‑dairy ingredients, packaging materials, consumables, and support services representing $350.0M in annual spend. The Procurement Director develops and executes long‑term procurement strategies that balance inventory levels with market volatility to ensure profitability, supply continuity, and adherence to quality standards. Key responsibilities include conducting market analysis, building and managing strategic supplier partnerships, leading cost‑optimization and risk‑mitigation initiatives, reducing material obsolescence, and optimizing replenishment strategies to meet sales and inventory objectives. The position also provides leadership and direction to a team of six direct reports. You will report directly to the Vice President of Supply Chain, for Ornua Ingredients North America, headquartered in Hilbert, WI, with manufacturing facilities located in Hillsboro, Hilbert, and Whitehall, WI, as well as Byron, MN. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Research & Development (R&D), Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Food Safety & Quality. This integrated approach ensures we deliver tailored, high-performance solutions that meet the evolving needs of our manufacturing partners.

Requirements

7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in dairy product and commodity purchasing within a dairy manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of pasteurized process cheese or strong willingness to learn quickly.
Proven ability to manage complex supplier relationships with strong commercial acumen.
Skilled in project management, cross-functional collaboration, and problem‑solving, with strong analytical ability.
High attention to detail, ownership, and accountability.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, influencing, and presentation skills.
Collaborative working style with the ability to influence and partner across cross‑functional teams.
Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, resilience, and self‑motivation.
Ability to work effectively with internal teams at regional, national, and potentially global levels.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Science, or a related field.
Experience within a food‑ingredients manufacturing environment (if dairy experience is already strong).
Experience with product application demonstrations.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for dairy and non-dairy commodity ingredients
Lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and performance management.
Monitor commodity markets and dairy industry trends to anticipate cost fluctuations and supply risks.
Develop and execute sourcing strategies for dairy and non-dairy commodities, negotiating contract pricing and terms with suppliers to secure favorable agreements and reduce costs.
Monitor supplier performance regarding quality, delivery, and compliance, initiating corrective actions when necessary.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, and innovation
Conduct regular supplier evaluations and audits to ensure compliance with food safety and sustainability standards.
Maintain compliance with, and complete all required training associated with, the Supplier Approval Program
Identify cost-saving opportunities through value analysis, supplier consolidation, and process improvements.
Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Collaborate with production or sales teams to forecast demand, maintain optimal inventory levels, and prevent shortages or excessive stock (distress).
Partner with R&D, Quality Assurance, Production, and Finance to align sourcing strategies with business goals.
Support new product development by sourcing innovative ingredients and materials.
Utilize ERP systems to manage procurement activities and generate reports.
Analyze spend data and market intelligence to inform strategic decisions.
Analyze dairy commodity markets, regulatory changes, and pricing trends to anticipate fluctuations and mitigate risk
Manage the category budget, track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as cost savings and supplier compliance, and ensure accurate invoicing.
Lead, mentor, and supervise junior buyers or procurement assistants, providing direction, training, and performance feedback
Represent Ornua’s brand and values with professionalism and integrity in all externa and internal interactions
Comply with all safety guidelines and regulatory standards, setting an example in maintaining high ethical standards and practices
Comply with all company purchasing policies and procedures
Comply with all laws and regulations for procured products and services of the company
Demonstrate exceptional adaptability, managing diverse tasks and responding proactively to evolving business needs
Recommend new processes or systems for improvement, implementation of new ideas and strategies.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned