Procurement Director

Job Posting

Job Title: Procurement Director

Function: Procurement

Reports to: VP of Supply Chain

Location: Hilbert, WI

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

Schedule: 7am – 4pm, Monday through Friday

Ornua (meaning “new gold”) is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world since 1961.

Are you a procurement or supply chain leader looking for the challenge of taking a mission driven organization to its next level of success?

Ornua is actively seeking a Procurement Director to join the Ornua Family as we continue our growth trajectory. This position will play a key role in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of all dairy and non‑dairy ingredients, packaging materials, consumables, and support services representing $350.0M in annual spend.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for dairy and non-dairy commodity ingredients
• Lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and performance management
• Monitor commodity markets and dairy industry trends to anticipate cost fluctuations and supply risks
• Negotiate contract pricing and terms with suppliers to secure favorable agreements and reduce costs

• Monitor supplier performance regarding quality, delivery, and compliance, initiating corrective actions when necessary
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, and innovation
• Conduct regular supplier evaluations and audits to ensure compliance with food safety and sustainability standards
• Maintain compliance with the Supplier Approval Program

• Identify cost‑saving opportunities through value analysis, supplier consolidation, and process improvements
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions
• Collaborate with production or sales teams to forecast demand, maintain optimal inventory levels, and prevent shortages or excessive stock

• Partner with R&D, Quality Assurance, Production, and Finance to align sourcing strategies with business goals
• Support new product development by sourcing innovative ingredients and materials

• Utilize ERP systems to manage procurement activities and generate reports
• Analyze spend data and market intelligence to inform strategic decisions
• Analyze dairy commodity markets, regulatory changes, and pricing trends to anticipate fluctuations and mitigate risk
• Manage the category budget, track Key Performance Indicators such as cost savings and supplier compliance, and ensure accurate invoicing

• Lead, mentor, and supervise junior buyers or procurement assistants, providing direction, training, and performance feedback
• Represent Ornua’s brand and values with professionalism and integrity in all external and internal interactions

• Comply with all safety guidelines and regulatory standards, setting an example in maintaining high ethical standards and practices
• Comply with all company purchasing policies and procedures
• Comply with all laws and regulations for procured products and services of the company
• Demonstrate exceptional adaptability, managing diverse tasks and responding proactively to evolving business needs
• Recommend new processes or systems for improvement, implementation of new ideas and strategies
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in dairy product and commodity purchasing within a dairy manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of pasteurized process cheese or strong willingness to learn quickly
• Proven ability to manage complex supplier relationships with strong commercial acumen
• Skilled in project management, cross‑functional collaboration, and problem‑solving, with strong analytical ability
• High attention to detail, ownership, and accountability
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, influencing, and presentation skills
• Collaborative working style with the ability to influence and partner across…