Category Sourcing Manager

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Full Time Management Indianapolis, IN, US

30+ days ago Requisition

Founded in 1954,
Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company’s broad portfolio — including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions — enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and food service operators.

With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise.

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and an industry leader in clean label ingredients, we are a true partner. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better drives our innovation team to discover new, on trend solutions.

As a Category Sourcing Manager
, they will be responsible for developing and executing enterprise-wide sourcing strategies for key ingredients and packaging materials to support business growth while driving cost efficiencies, supply continuity, and continuous improvement. This role leads local, regional, and international sourcing initiatives to deliver long-term competitive advantages across the organization.
As a strategic partner to Supply Chain, Operations, R&D, Quality, Finance, and Sales, the Strategic Sourcing Manager plays a critical role in supplier strategy, risk mitigation, innovation enablement, and contract management. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Procurement.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies that ensure consistent supply, timely delivery, and high-quality materials aligned with business requirements
• Act as lead strategist to leverage enterprise scale and drive cost efficiencies across spend categories with a continuous improvement mindset
• Achieve competitive pricing advantages through market intelligence, including domestic and international macroeconomic factors
• Proactively identify and capitalize on opportunistic market conditions within assigned categories
• Identify, evaluate, and execute sourcing opportunities while mitigating supply risk and ensuring supply chain stability
• Serve as Supplier Relationship Manager (SRM), fostering strong partnerships across the local and global supply base
• Act as the primary interface between Vibrant Ingredients and assigned suppliers
• Optimize the supply base to support continuity, scalability, innovation, and long-term growth
• Lead negotiations for long-term supply agreements that deliver sustainable competitive advantage
• Manage contracts and master supply agreements, ensuring compliance with pricing, quality, and delivery requirements
• Coordinate logistics activities with suppliers, including inland freight, ocean freight, and import/export processes when applicable
• Collaborate with R&D and Quality to identify, qualify, and approve new materials, technologies, and suppliers
• Ensure sourced ingredients meet all product specifications, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer-specific needs
• Conduct supplier evaluations and drive performance improvement initiatives across the supply base
• Partner cross-functionally to support evolving business needs and strategic initiatives

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics,…