Procurement Manager – Raw Materials, Packaging & Merchandise

Smalls is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Senior Procurement Manager to drive our efforts in sourcing raw proteins, meats, merchandise and packaging materials, including consumer-facing and direct-to-consumer (DTC) packaging. This role will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies to secure high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective materials.

What You'll Do

Strategic Sourcing (Domestic & Global):

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for all materials, ensuring alignment with company goals for quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, conducting thorough assessments of their capabilities, quality standards, and sustainability practices.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to achieve optimal value while maintaining quality and supply chain resilience.
• Run RFPs as needed, to identify new vendors & keep cost optimized.
• Streamline Small’s global supply chain, ensuring the company has optimal procedures to get materials quickly & cost effectively through freight & customs.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, fostering collaboration and ensuring consistent supply of high-quality ingredients, merchandise and packaging materials.
• Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, and compliance with contractual agreements.
• Address and resolve any supplier-related issues promptly to minimize disruptions to production & fulfillment.

Market Analysis & Risk Management:

• Stay informed about global market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain risks related to raw proteins, meats, merchandise and packaging materials.
• Proactively identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
• Conduct regular benchmarking and cost analysis to ensure competitive pricing and value.
• Analyze cost performance & projections monthly and report any variation risks to Finance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with S&OP, R&D, Quality Assurance, Production, and Marketing teams to stay close to product launch timelines, understand ingredient and packaging requirements, and ensure alignment with product formulations, brand standards and production planning.
• Manage testing & execution of new materials, in collaboration with the Operations teams.
• Partner closely with the Finance team to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support new product development by sourcing innovative and high-quality ingredients and packaging materials.

Sustainability & Compliance:

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all sourced ingredients and packaging materials meet regulatory requirements and company standards for quality and safety.
• Drive initiatives to source sustainable and ethically produced raw proteins, merchandise and packaging materials, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

What We’ll Love About You

• You have 8+ years experience leading procurement strategy and execution, ideally across complex or global categories.
• You excel at building strong & strategic supplier relationships.
• You have a deep understanding of global protein and meat markets, including pricing dynamics, seasonality, and supply risk.
• You understand global packaging & merchandise supply chains and have the ability to manage complex procurement processes.
• You have direct procurement experience with perishable products, including considerations around shelf life, food safety, and supply continuity.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and are comfortable managing multiple competing priorities.
• You have strong analytical skills and can clearly present RFP outcomes, cost analyses, and sourcing strategies using G-Suite tools.
• You are a strong communicator who builds trust and influences decision-making across functions and at all levels of the organization.

What you’ll love about us:

• Mission-Driven Company: We love cats and we're here to make nine lives ten.
• People-Driven Company: We treat our people like people; we're committed to Smalls, and we work hard but also respect everyone’s lives outside of work.
• Data-Driven Culture: We love using data to guide decision-making where appropriate, but we also know when to move quickly and go with our gut.
• Competitive Salary: Make some $$.
• Very Competitive Benefits: Fully paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance. 4-day work week. Unlimited PTO.
• Fully Remote Office & Culture: Our team is spread across the US day to day, but we travel for department & company off-sites and retreats.
• Free Product: Free cat food every month.

Compensation Range: $120K - $140K