Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Overview

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At Oregon Freeze Dry, innovation isn’t just a buzzword, it’s our foundation. We are a purpose-driven company with six decades of expertise in freeze-drying technology. Best known as the makers of Mountain House © meals, we are experts in advanced lyophilization solutions that can help people live healthier lives. Our headquarters in Albany, Oregon sits at the crossroads of science and nature, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes that fuel bold ideas and transformative breakthroughs.

We're driven by a commitment to quality, creativity, and continuous improvement, and we're always looking ahead to what's next.

We are looking for a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join our Procurement team. This position plays a key role in driving the company’s procurement strategy through market research, supplier engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. Focusing on sourcing raw materials and packaging solutions, this role supports product development, commercialization, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate is strategic, actively drives change, brings deep knowledge of supplier negotiations and contract management, excels at building strong partnerships, and has significant experience in optimizing sourcing processes to deliver cost savings and quality outcomes.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to support product commercialization through timely and cost-effective sourcing strategies.
• Identify and source raw materials and packaging components that meet quality, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Proactively minimize supply interruptions by utilizing a risk-based approach to diversifying the supplier network.
• Conduct ongoing market research to monitor industry trends, pricing, and supplier developments.
• Prepare and distribute monthly market reports to guide strategic purchasing decisions.
• Recommend sourcing actions based on current and forecasted market conditions such as commodity changes and tariffs to proactively manage impact on business.
• Maintain a comprehensive sourcing library and supplier database.
• Collaborate with R&D and Engineering to evaluate and qualify new materials and packaging technologies.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify opportunities to reduce cost in the system.
• Represent the company at trade shows, supplier meetings, and industry events to expand sourcing opportunities and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives using change management tools and methodologies.
• Participate in weekly team meetings and contribute to issue resolution and dashboard reporting.
• Engage in professional development through continuing education and industry networking (e.g., ISM, APICS).
• Ensure compliance with SQF, FDA, and USDA regulations.

• Generally, a minimum of six (6) years of experience in Purchasing, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• A bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or a related field (preferred).
• Active participation in continuing education and industry networking (e.g., ISM, APICS, or equivalent).
• A strong understanding of inventory management principles and control strategies.
• Proven ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data from multiple sources to develop actionable sourcing solutions.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and operational workflows.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems, with the ability to navigate and utilize digital tools effectively.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate professionally across internal teams and external partners.
• Expertise in evaluating cost, quality, and inventory metrics to identify sourcing and process improvement opportunities.
Strong skills in building partnerships, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier performance.
• Ability to manage multiple sourcing initiatives, timelines, and cross-functional inputs.
• Comfort with navigating ambiguity and driving continuous improvement in sourcing processes.
• Professional certification such as ISM CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or equivalent (preferred).
• An understanding of…