Director, Strategic Sourcing

Director, Strategic Sourcing – Job Description

The Director, Strategic Sourcing is a key member of the Purchasing Team North America (NA), responsible for developing long‑term purchasing strategies and implementing short- and medium-term sourcing strategies, policies, practices, and systems. The incumbent collaborates with the global procurement team, local Canadian and U.S. stakeholders, and leads a team of managers and professionals to achieve cost and supply objectives.

• Oversee the development and execution of sourcing strategies across multiple categories, including targets, timelines and resource plans.
• Manage global strategy & negotiation initiatives provided by the global procurement team, offering pricing specifications, vendor listings, market intelligence, and local negotiation support.
• Develop long‑term strategies and ensure local short‑ and medium‑term sourcing strategies are implemented by team members using in‑depth analysis of key cost drivers.
• Own the budget portfolio of multiple categories, working with senior directors and the global strategic procurement team on budget assumptions.
• Manage all contracts for category portfolios at the zone level, including vendor qualification, tendering, negotiation and implementation.
• Lead cost and supply risk management for key material supplies, maintaining up‑to‑date market knowledge to anticipate risks and secure alternative vendors or materials.
• Act as an intermediary for escalated issues with senior local leadership, ensuring adherence to purchasing procedures and communicating changes in policy.
• Identify and execute value‑analysis and vendor transfer savings opportunities, optimizing on‑time delivery and lead time while protecting quality, flexibility and supply continuity.
• Serve as a cross‑functional liaison, providing insight to senior leadership across Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, R&D, Sales and Marketing for projects such as new launches, line extensions, and process optimization.
• Lead and manage the Canadian/US zone team by setting goals, providing direction, reviewing performance, supporting suppliers, and developing training needs.
• Establish high levels of capability, knowledge, productivity, accountability and decision‑making within the Purchasing group, championing knowledge transfer across functional groups.
• Develop external supplier relationships to optimize quality, continuous improvement, innovation and total cost of ownership; manage supplier quality and non‑conformance concerns.
• Support and manage company acquisitions in collaboration with the global procurement team.
• Execute special projects as assigned by the Senior Director, Corporate Procurement.

The incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Packaging Procurement team members in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning, directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and resolving complaints.

• Travel is required up to 50% monthly.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on project needs.
• Tools such as a computer, phone or allowance(s) may be provided.
• A cell phone is required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
• This position requires physical presence in the office in accordance with the Hybrid Work Policy.
• Commitment to a safe working environment that promotes health and well‑being for all employees.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related discipline.

• Minimum of fifteen years’ working experience, with seven to ten years in a procurement function, preferably in the food industry.
• Minimum five years of management experience within plastic packaging categories.
• Experience negotiating complex multi‑year agreements through RFP/RFQ bidding processes.

• High level of initiative and strong interpersonal skills.
• Good leadership and ability to interact with various management levels and business situations.
• Strong planning,…