We are looking for an Associate Director of Protein Procurement with a proven track record in driving strategic sourcing initiatives, optimizing supplier partnerships, & leading high-performing teams. 

This role will be responsible for shaping & executing our protein procurement strategy across multiple categories, ensuring supply continuity, quality, & cost efficiency. You will lead a team of sourcing professionals & collaborate cross-functionally to unlock value, improve pricing structures, & identify innovative sourcing opportunities. 

You are passionate about transforming procurement into a competitive advantageleveraging analytics, market insights, & strong supplier relationships to drive sustainable savings & long-term growth.

You will

• Develop & execute a comprehensive protein sourcing strategy to support business goals around cost optimization, supply continuity, quality, & innovation
• Lead, mentor, & develop a high-performing team of category managers & sourcing professionals focused on protein procurement
• Build & nurture strategic supplier relationships to enhance performance, foster innovation, & ensure long-term supply security
• Drive contract negotiations & cost reduction initiatives across protein categories, leveraging market insights & competitive sourcing tactics
• Own & manage the protein procurement budget for your respective categories, including forecasting, variance analysis, & reporting in alignment with finance & executive leadership
• Monitor global & domestic protein markets, analyze commodity trends, & proactively develop risk management strategies to mitigate volatility & supply disruptions
• Partner cross-functionally with Procurement Operations, FSQA, Culinary, & Brand leadership to align procurement strategies with business needs & brand standards
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support new product launches, value engineering, & process improvement opportunities
• Develop & track key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier performance, team output, & cost savings to ensure delivery of organizational objectives
• Support implementation of procurement systems & tools to improve process efficiency, data accuracy, & stakeholder visibility
• Champion data-driven decision-making & robust business intelligence practices within the team & across procurement functions
• Lead Business Reviews with key suppliers to monitor performance, address gaps, & identify future partnership opportunities
• Ensure compliance with regulatory & food safety standards in all sourcing decisions & supplier engagements

You are

• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect day-to-day execution with long-term sourcing & business goals
• Proven people leader who develops talent, builds strong teams, & creates an inclusive, high-performance culture
• Strong negotiator who is confident managing complex supplier agreements & driving cost savings without compromising quality or relationships
• Highly analytical with a data-driven approach to problem-solving, decision-making, & continuous improvement
• Strong collaborator who works effectively across departmentsespecially with culinary, quality, operations, & finance teams
• Excellent communicator, both written & verbal, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Customer- & quality-obsessed, with a passion for delivering products that meet or exceed expectations
• Driven by results, with a clear focus on delivering measurable impact through sourcing initiatives & team performance

You have

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business, Agribusiness, or a related field; Masters degree preferred
• 810 years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain, with a strong focus on protein categories
• Proven leadership experience managing teams, developing talent, & driving cross-functional initiatives
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, cost savings delivery, & strategic sourcing execution in a fast-paced environment
• This position's essential functions demand the performance of the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Prolonged periods working at a desk & on a computer
• Read information on a computer screen & inputting data into a computer system

Youll get

• Competitive salary, 401k with company match that vests immediately upon participation, & company equity plan based on role
• Generous PTO, including sabbatical, & parental leave of up to 16 weeks
• Comprehensive health & wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education (upon 2 years of service)
• Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, & Factor_)   
• Access to 7 different Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) including those for BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, & LGBTQ+
• Inclusive, collaborative, & dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks & responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.