Procurement Category Manager

Overview

Community Coffee is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to lead strategy and execution across assigned commodities and service categories. This role focuses on strengthening supplier performance, reducing total cost, enabling innovation, and keeping sourcing activities aligned with company-wide supply chain priorities. The position works closely with teams across sales, marketing, operations, finance, legal, and other internal partners, while managing key supplier relationships such as co-packers and indirect service providers.

This is a hybrid role based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The position sits within the Supply Chain department and reports to the Sr. Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain. Travel may be required up to 25%.

Why This Role

Community Coffee describes itself as America’s leading family-owned retail coffee brand, combining long-standing tradition with a forward-looking, fast-moving culture. The environment is designed for professionals who want to grow, contribute meaningfully, and help shape great customer experiences while working with a brand built around quality and community.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and execute category plans covering market intelligence, spend review, sourcing, contract work, and ongoing improvement efforts.
• Oversee supplier relationships across co-packers, ingredients, components, and indirect products and services.
• Identify, evaluate, and bring on new suppliers to support current and future product needs.
• Monitor production, inventory, quality, and food safety results for assigned co-packed products.
• Serve as the main connection point between suppliers and internal stakeholders to keep communication clear and resolve issues quickly.
• Perform regular supplier risk reviews and put continuity plans in place where needed.
• Build annual supplier budgets with finance partners.
• Address production challenges and pursue process improvements that increase efficiency and performance.
• Lead strategic sourcing work, including RFP preparation, supplier negotiation, and contract development.
• Run business reviews with strategic suppliers, using scorecards, performance trends, and development plans.
• Ensure service expectations are met and respond promptly when performance falls short.
• Work with legal to prepare, negotiate, and complete supplier agreements.
• Track cost pressures and take steps to reduce or control increases.
• Prepare supplier market assessments to compare sourcing choices and supplier capabilities.
• Partner with marketing to source new products and support innovation efforts, including sample coordination and supplier evaluation.
• Coach and support Sourcing Specialists through mentoring, training, and development.
• Keep SAP S/4HANA records accurate, including material and vendor data, source lists, and information records.
• Track and report monthly KPIs.
• Help ensure SOPs are established, followed, and understood by the right teams.
• Support procurement operations when needed, including purchase orders, expediting, and discrepancy resolution.
• Take on other duties as needed for the business.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a closely related area is preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience in procurement and/or category management, or an equivalent mix of education and experience.
• Three years of direct category management experience is preferred.
• Experience in co-packing or co-manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Background in purchasing, logistics, supply chain management, or marketing.
• Working knowledge of SAP S/4HANA and strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel.
• A valid driver’s license or government-issued identification is required.
• Professional credentials such as CPSM, project management, or Lean Six Sigma are highly desirable.
• For internal candidates, prior experience with Community Coffee in any role may satisfy the experience requirement at the hiring manager’s discretion with HR approval.
• Applicants should use an up-to-date internet browser when submitting the application, as older versions have caused issues.

Competencies

• Builds trust
• Continual learning mindset
• Customer focus
• Clear communication
• Integrity
• Strong results orientation
• Resourceful problem solving
• Accountability
• Team collaboration
• Action-oriented approach
• Strong interpersonal adaptability

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based, with most work performed indoors in a quiet environment. The job involves frequent sitting, using hands to handle or feel tools or controls, and speaking or listening. It may occasionally require standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The role may also require lifting or moving items up to 25 lbs. Vision requirements include close, distant, color, peripheral, and depth perception, as well as the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals with disabilities.

Values

• Champion people
• Inspire creativity
• Wow our customers
• Serve our communities
• Win together

Benefits

Community Coffee offers a competitive salary and benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; 401(k); short- and long-term disability; paid time off; and an employee assistance program.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

The company provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of protected characteristics under federal or state law. Reasonable accommodations are available during the hiring process and to support performance of essential job functions, as required by law.

Application Notice

This application remains current for 60 days. If you are still interested after that period, a new application will be required.

Additional Information

The role requires up to 25% travel and is part of the Supply Chain department, reporting to the Sr. Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain.