Senior Procurement Specialist - Ingredients

Post Holdings Inc.•Brentwood, MO

20d•Hybrid

About The Position

Feeding the world is what we do – how we do it is unique. We are not your textbook consumer packaged goods company. While others may be slow to make change happen, Post continuously drives both inorganic and organic growth. Our history is evidence of that fact with over 100 years of heritage and growth from brands that transcend generations like Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruity Pebbles, Malt-O-Meal, Bob Evans, Kibbles 'n Bits, Egg Beaters, Peter Pan peanut butter and more. Our foodservice and ingredient businesses supply other products you love for brands, restaurants and stores. We have more than 55 offices and manufacturing sites and approximately 13,000 employees. Over the past 13 years, Post has made 28+ acquisitions and innovative financial transactions and reached $8.2 billion in net sales in fiscal 2025. During turbulent times of market uncertainty, the food industry has provided a level of stability unlike other industries Post Holdings, Inc. is a Fortune 500® company headquartered in Brentwood, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Our casual professional atmosphere encourages team members to collaborate, innovate and support our operating companies. Our passion and drive advance the reputation of our operating companies and brands—together, we make a difference.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
2-5 years’ Buying experience to include sourcing strategy and like ingredients
2-5 years’ Performance metrics, development, and root cause analysis
2-5 years’ Project management, including project budget management
2-5 years’ Supply chain management fundamentals
Annual Managed Expenses: ~$125 million (Ingredients, Packaging and/or Indirect Spend)
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Planning and executing communications strategy to ensure accurate and timely flow of information to internal customers and stakeholders and externally to vendors
Capacity to work independently and as part of a team
Aptitude for applying knowledge of multidisciplinary business principles and practices to achieve successful outcomes in cross-functional projects and activities
Capable of setting priorities, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and changing environment
Ability to apply supply chain operations methodology to optimize impact of procurement on the supply chain
Proficient in developing and implementing strategies, plans and sourcing activities at the lowest total cost of ownership
Ability to negotiate and influence
Skill in managing supplier performance and driving continuous improvements with existing suppliers
Competent in analyzing and creating a positive impact to the direct and indirect costs and benefits of any good or service
Ability to educate partners on cost, service and quality drivers, market and technology factors, and their impact on commodities, products, and services
Ability to trouble-shoot data integrity issues within a procurement system
Capable of acting as a subject matter expert in applying broad business disciplines/knowledge to support procurement activities
Ability to lead complex program and project efforts to completion
High degree of problem solving and decision-making ability
Knowledge of purchasing regulations, laws and accounting standards including SOX, FASB, and process controls
Ability to conform to shifting priorities in spending strategies, product demands and purchasing timelines through analytical capabilities
Handle complex and diverse customer, supplier, or operational issues where analysis of situation or data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Ability to exercise judgment and handle ambiguity within generally defined practices and policies selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions

Responsibilities

Execute sourcing strategies for the procurement of various ingredients to maintain production, minimize costs, maximize sales values, and ensure trade and regulatory compliance.
Generate purchasing recommendations to support business goals in collaboration with the Director, Ingredients and Commodity Risk Management and business unit stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvements throughout the function to increase efficiency and/or reduce overall total cost of ownership for the business units.
Be responsible for Vegetables and other ingredient categories across multiple Post Holdings Business Units with a spend totaling ~$125 million +/-.
Develop and implement strategic goals for the work group, improving organizational capability, and modeling how to work together.
Identify and communicate key responsibilities and practices to promote a successful approach and attitude, confidence in leadership and teamwork to achieve business results.
Act as Project Manager for critical Ingredient initiatives, providing leadership and exerting positive influence while working toward solutions involving cross functional teams, across all PHI subsidiaries.
Build relationships to facilitate effective communication to leadership with cross-divisional leaders.
Support the implementation of company programs to ensure the success of Post Holdings businesses and programs.
Aid in development of operational plans, manage execution and measure results.
Develop individual goals to support all business units.
Maintain an entrepreneurial approach to commodity and ingredient procurement, while planning, controlling, and reporting bought positions, future demand, market activity etc. so that opportunities and risks are clearly articulated to stakeholders within the business units and PHI as needed.
Recommend strategies, schedules and work requirements to Director, Ingredients & Commodity Risk Management to ensure that business activities meet time and budget goals.
Manage activities within all business units and across PHI as needed to ensure long-term supply and cost savings.
Oversee the implementation and utilization of measurement tools to evaluate business process effectiveness and supplier performance.
Plan and manage logistical requirements for inbound commodity and ingredients and ensure that programs are aligned with business goals and objectives.
Prepare, communicate, and educate business partners (including customers) and team members on procurement policies and practices.
Provide functional expertise and execute functional responsibilities.
Assess critical information required to make effective decisions or recommendations.
Manage reporting processes to communicate activity status and weekly procurement update and risk management projections to the business units and PHI as needed.
Recommend modifications to buying strategy and risk management protocol as needed to achieve superior financial results.
Provide periodic market updates as needed.
Manage position in compliance with company risk management policies.
Ensure that processes and systems improve service, gain efficiencies, or improve quality and reduce costs.
Administer approved strategies, tools, and metrics to support PHI business requirements including: Sourcing, Commodity Management, Risk Management, Negotiation, Contracting, Inventory Control, Cost and Capacity Analysis, Corporate Sustainability/Social Responsibility Initiatives, Cost Control (including Total Cost of Ownership), Cost Improvement, Procure-to-Pay.
Maintain relationships with other business units, functional areas, and suppliers to support overall business requirements.
Manage the process for evaluating bids, negotiating contracts and monitoring supplier performance.
Provide technical or product expertise to suppliers and internal customers regarding related markets.
Use problem solving and analysis to assess the financial impact of business initiatives.