Director, Strategic Sourcing- Plastic Packaging

Job Title: Director, Strategic Sourcing, Plastics

Location: GTA

About Us:

Welcome to Lactalis Canada! We’re proud to be Canada’s #1 branded dairy company and to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s top employers by Forbes. Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians by offering the best of dairy from Canada’s favourite dairy brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia. In fact, our products can be found in over 90% of Canadian refrigerators in any given time. As part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, we remain focused on innovation and quality and are seeking like-minded individuals to join us as we continue our growth journey.

Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more!

About the opportunity:

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 median term purchasing strategies, policies, practices, and systems. The incumbent will have a strong collaborative working relationship with the Company’s global procurement team, local (Canadian and US) internal stakeholders throughout the organization and will lead a team comprising of managers and professionals to ensure that the overall goals of the organization are being met, including total cost and supply objectives.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Oversee the development and execution of sourcing strategies across multiple categories within span of control including targets, timelines and resource plans.
• Manage global strategy & negotiation initiatives led by the global procurement team by providing information such as pricing specifications and vendor listings, market intelligence and negotiating at local level for finalization. Ensure set strategies and initiatives at a North American level are implemented by team.
• Develop long term strategies and ensure local short- and medium-term sourcing strategies are implemented by team members using in-depth knowledge and analysis of key cost drivers.
• Full ownership of budget portfolio of multiple categories with input on the budget assumptions from the Senior director Procurement and the global Strategic procurement team
• Accountable for the management of all contracts for various category portfolios at the zone level, including qualify vendors, tender, negotiate, and implement all contracts.
• Lead cost and supply risks for key material supplies within categories by ensuring team is maintaining up to date knowledge of market changes to alert on the risk, contracting in advance of the concern or contracting low and long if it is a price risk, and finding and qualifying alternate vendors or alternate materials.
• Act as intermediary for escalated issues with senior local leadership to ensure all manufacturing plants are following proper purchasing procedures and communicate changes in purchasing policies and procedures as required.
• For the categories the incumbent directly manages, identify and execute value analysis and vendor transfer savings opportunities as a cross-functional effort to deliver cost reduction targets and optimize other performance measures such as on-time delivery & lead time on purchased goods and services, without jeopardizing quality, flexibility, and supply continuity.
• Participate as an active cross-functional liaison by providing insight to the Senior leadership within Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, R&D, Sales and Marketing and other key functional areas of the business for effective project execution such as new launches, line extensions, and process optimization. The scope includes sourcing, pricing, as well as sharing process improvements ideas provided by the vendors.
• Lead and manage Canadian/US zone team by establishing goals and priorities, and providing work direction, reviewing performance, providing support with suppliers, and providing feedback. Work with team in determining training and development needs.
• Establish a high level of capability, knowledge, productivity, accountability and decision making within the Purchasing group. Champion the transfer of purchasing knowledge between all functional groups.
• Develop essential external supplier relationships to optimize supplier quality and performance, including continuous improvement, innovation, and reduction in total cost of ownership to add value to North America region. Manage supplier quality and supplier non-conformance concerns.
• Support and manage company acquisition with the support of the global procurement team
• Could be assigned to special projects by the Senior director, Corporate Procurement

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or another appropriate discipline
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years’ working experience, with seven (7) to ten (10) years’ experience in a Procurement function, preferably at a food company.
• Minimum 5 years management experience within plastic packaging categories
• Experience in 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 a wide variety of management levels and business situations
• Strong planning, project management, leadership skills and execution skills
• Rigorous data driven/analytical capability
• Strong negotiation skills
• Able to positively influence others
• Ability to lead and motivate staff
• Strong presentation skills and ability to present to groups of various size and levels of leadership
• Foundational knowledge of contract law and legal terms & conditions
• Foundational knowledge of financial statements i.e. the impact of the role on the business
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office including advanced proficiency MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
• Ability to travel as required (USA & Canada)

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• Company Vehicle or Car Allowance
• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 5 Weeks of Vacation
• Benefits starting day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment:

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI:

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities. We apply an equal access to employment program and invite women, aboriginal people, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained.

Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through . If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.

Compensation:

As part of our commitment to fairness, trust, and transparency and our ambition to be an Employer of Choice, the base salary range for this position is $144,80 – $181,000+ .

Please note: Along with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, your actual base salary will be fair, competitive, and be based on your skills, experience, and qualifications