Director, Strategic Sourcing - Plastic Packaging

About the company

Lactalis Canada is a leading Canadian dairy business and part of Lactalis Group, the world’s largest dairy company. The organization is known for well-established brands such as Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro, and Lactantia, and its products are present in the majority of Canadian households. The company emphasizes innovation, quality, and long-term growth.

Role overview

The Director, Strategic Sourcing for Plastics is an important leader within the North American Purchasing function. This position is responsible for building long-range sourcing direction and translating it into practical short- and medium-term procurement plans, systems, and policies. The role works closely with global procurement, Canadian and US stakeholders, and leads a team of managers and professionals to support cost, supply, and performance goals.

The workplace model is hybrid, with 40% remote work. The GTA office environment includes free parking, coffee, Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and an updated collaborative workspace.

Key responsibilities

This position carries ownership for sourcing strategy, supplier management, contract execution, team leadership, and risk control across multiple packaging-related categories.

• Shape and implement sourcing plans for several categories, including objectives, milestones, and resource planning.
• Support global procurement-led negotiation initiatives by supplying pricing details, specifications, supplier lists, and market intelligence, while handling local negotiations through final award.
• Turn long-term sourcing direction into executable short- and medium-term plans using detailed cost-driver analysis.
• Hold full responsibility for the budget portfolio across multiple categories, with budget assumptions supported by senior procurement leadership and the global strategic procurement group.
• Manage contracts across category portfolios at the zone level, including vendor qualification, tendering, negotiation, and implementation.
• Monitor cost and supply exposure for key materials, respond early to market shifts, secure supply through advance contracting or long-term pricing agreements, and identify backup suppliers or substitute materials when needed.
• Serve as the escalation point for sourcing issues with senior local leadership and help ensure purchasing procedures are followed across manufacturing plants.
• Drive value analysis and supplier transfer savings for directly managed categories to meet cost-reduction goals while protecting quality, flexibility, and continuity of supply.
• Partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, R&D, Sales, Marketing, and other teams on launches, line extensions, and process improvements.
• Lead the Canadian/US zone team by setting priorities, guiding day-to-day work, reviewing performance, supporting supplier-related decisions, and identifying training needs.
• Build strong capability, accountability, and decision-making within the purchasing team, while promoting knowledge sharing across functions.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships that improve quality, performance, innovation, continuous improvement, and total cost of ownership.
• Address supplier quality concerns and non-conformance issues.
• Support company acquisition activity with support from the global procurement team.
• Take on special assignments from the Senior Director, Corporate Procurement as required.

Requirements

The ideal candidate brings deep procurement experience, leadership strength, and strong analytical and negotiation capabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of work experience overall, including 7 to 10 years in procurement, preferably in a food company.
• At least 5 years of management experience in plastic packaging categories.
• Proven experience negotiating complex multi-year agreements through RFP and RFQ processes.
• Strong initiative and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Ability to work with different management levels and varied business situations.
• Solid planning, project management, leadership, and execution skills.
• Highly data-driven with strong analytical ability.
• Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to influence others positively.
• Capability to lead, support, and motivate team members.
• Strong presentation skills for audiences of different sizes and leadership levels.
• Working understanding of contract law and legal terms and conditions.
• Basic knowledge of financial statements and business impact.
• Strong problem-solving capability.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel across the USA and Canada as needed.

Perks and benefits

• Competitive base pay.
• Company vehicle or car allowance.
• Performance-linked bonus opportunity.
• 5 weeks of vacation.
• Benefits available from day one.
• Pension plan with 100% employer match up to 6%.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $3,000 per year.
• One volunteer day to support the community.
• Learning and development support.
• Opportunities for internal career growth and possible international mobility.
• Hybrid work structure with 40% remote flexibility.
• Free parking, coffee, snacks, and an on-site gym.

Additional information

Lactalis Canada states that it is committed to sustainability through its ESG roadmap and aims to create positive impact across communities, the environment, and the broader dairy ecosystem. The company also emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.

If accommodation is needed because of a disability, the talent acquisition team should be informed and confidentiality will be maintained.

The company notes that it does not run credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If checks are required, they will be initiated only after a job offer has been signed.

Compensation

The posted base salary range is $144,800 to $181,000+ annually. Final pay will depend on skills, experience, and qualifications and will be determined fairly within the overall total rewards package.