<p>Who We Are</p> <p>At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.</p> <p>We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to run our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!</p> <p>What You Will Do</p> <p>As Procurement Category Manager, you will have responsibility for the development of sourcing strategies for the protein category. You will be a value-added sourcing partner to the business to ensure complete alignment and deep understanding of the business goals in developing sourcing strategies with cross-functional teams. You will recommend cost savings proposals including alternative sourcing solutions and will exercise independent judgement within defined practices to determine appropriate action. This role will specialize in the animal protein category and be recognized as the related category sourcing expert. You will carry out all procurement activities from RFQ to data analysis, supplier selection and implement robust contracts in alignment with company objectives.</p> <p>How You Will Make an Impact</p> <ul> <li> <p>Leverage sourcing and procurement best practices to develop and implement strategies for the protein category</p> </li><li> <p>Develop and foster relationships with major suppliers in the marketplace and pursue relationships upstream in the value chain where beneficial.</p> </li><li> <p>Understand and stay abreast of macroeconomic, regulatory, and capacity trends which could impact the business. Take action to manage risk and harness opportunities.</p> </li><li> <p>Manage all aspects of category including:</p> </li><li> <p>strategy development & execution</p> </li><li> <p>negotiation & contracting supply agreements</p> </li><li> <p>spend analysis & cost management</p> </li><li> <p>capacity management and expansion</p> </li><li> <p>risk management</p> </li><li> <p>supplier relationship management</p> </li><li> <p>supplier performance management & continuous improvement</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to initiate and lead projects to improve quality and service, lower cost and/or increase capacity.</p> </li><li> <p>Establish lean and effective total cost supply chains for purchased materials</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with legal and business stakeholders to protect Freshpet's intellectual property and any economic benefits realized resultant to joint development efforts</p> </li><li> <p>Establish, measure and report on supplier performance KPI's</p> </li><li> <p>Organize and lead formal business reviews with key suppliers</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with stakeholders on dispute resolution</p> </li></ul> <p>Education and Work Experience:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Food Science or equivalent experience </li><li>15+ years of experience in an animal protein sourcing role for a CPG company operating in a direct manufacturing environment </li></ul> <p>What You Will Bring</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:</p> <ul> <li>Extensive protein sourcing experience with a heavy concentration in poultry </li><li>Ability to expertly collaborate with and influence people of different levels inside/outside the company as a team, working toward common goals and objectives. </li><li>Advanced leadership, relationship management, project management and data analysis skills </li><li>Simultaneously manage multiple projects while balancing short term vs. long term needs </li><li>Extensive negotiation, conflict management, and problem-solving skills </li><li>Emotional intelligence to take full responsibility for decisions and results even when all elements are not under individual direct control </li><li>Strong sense of urgency and attention to detail </li><li>Excellent verbal and written communication skills </li><li>Extremely high standards of excellence and quality-oriented mindset </li><li>Proficient in MS Office Suite </li><li>In office position in Bethlehem, PA with limited, flexible work from home </li><li>20% travel </li></ul> <p>What We Offer</p> <p>At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!</p> <p>Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:</p> <p>At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.</p> <p>Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate, and preserve a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company's achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</p> <p>Disclaimers</p> <p>We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.</p> <p>Freshpet does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet because of the referral or through other means.</p>