Supply Chain Director

Role overview

The organization is looking for a Supply Chain Director to own procurement, sourcing, supplier relationships, inventory planning, and broader supply chain execution. The position is centered on strengthening procurement leadership and shaping a more strategic sourcing capability to support ongoing business expansion.

You will work closely with operations, finance, manufacturing, and senior leadership to improve spend efficiency, supplier performance, risk control, and inventory balance while keeping supply flowing without interruption.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee procurement and sourcing across both direct and indirect spend areas.
• Create and implement sourcing plans that improve cost, product quality, service levels, and supplier dependability.
• Lead negotiations for contracts, commercial terms, and long-term supplier arrangements.
• Increase supplier accountability through performance tracking, scorecards, and recurring business reviews.
• Find opportunities to lower material spend, raise inventory turnover, and improve working capital outcomes.
• Coordinate with operations and production leaders to align purchasing with customer requirements and manufacturing schedules.
• Assess supplier-related risks and put backup plans in place to protect continuity of supply.
• Drive inventory planning and collaborate across functions to balance service expectations with inventory investment.
• Guide and develop a small supply chain team while helping create scalable processes and reporting structures.

Ideal background

The preferred candidate brings at least 10 years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, or sourcing leadership.

Experience in food, beverage, ingredients, consumer products, packaging, or manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.

A strong history of negotiating significant supplier agreements and producing measurable cost savings is expected.

Solid knowledge of supplier management, inventory planning, forecasting, and S&OP practices is important.

The role suits someone who is comfortable combining strategic planning with hands-on execution in a fast-moving environment.

Applicants should have experience creating processes, KPIs, and accountability systems in a growing organization.

Strong financial understanding is needed, including the ability to assess margin impact, working capital, and inventory performance.

A bachelor’s degree is required, and an advanced degree is preferred.

Additional information

This is a full-time onsite leadership role based in the Rochester-Austin, Minnesota area.