Kinder’s is seeking an experienced Sr. Manager of Sourcing who is passionate about being part of a team of hard-working people focused on bringing the future of flavor to consumers everywhere.

We are a fast-growing company working hard to bring amazing flavor solutions that are as exciting and delicious as they are simple to use to our consumers whether they are experienced cooks or first-timers in the kitchen. We are obsessed with quality and are 100% committed to being the most innovative company in any market we serve. Our mission is to bring awesome flavor to consumers whenever and wherever they are looking for it and whatever for they are looking for it in (seasonings, sauces, gravy, marinades, or anything else we can come up with). We have experienced tremendous growth over the last 5 years, but we think we are just getting started. We love our consumers and are fired up to be part of their flavor journey. And we need more great folks to help us continue to raise the bar for what they think is even possible in their own kitchens.

Today, we have over 100 products sold nationwide at retailers including Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway and many more. While we have been around for over 75 years, we have experienced explosive growth in the last 5 years and are now a top 5 brand in the U.S. in multiple flavor categories including seasoning blends, BBQ sauce, and wing sauce. To keep our momentum rolling, we need more passionate flavor advocates and builders to come and join our team and help us reach every kitchen across the U.S. and maybe even the world.

How you'll have an impact at Kinder’s: 

The Sr. Manager of Sourcing will be responsible for managing the company’s ingredient sourcing operations, including managing relationships with suppliers, ensuring quality and consistency in ingredients, and driving continuous improvement in sourcing processes.

What are the Key Responsibilities of this Role:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy for organic and conventional ingredients, aligning with our commitment to innovation and quality.
• Collaborate closely with product development teams to integrate sourcing plans with new product launches and innovation initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, emphasizing collaboration and transparency.
• Negotiate favorable contracts, terms, and pricing while ensuring supplier compliance with quality, ethical, and sustainability standards.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging ingredients.
• Conduct regular analysis to identify opportunities for unique and on-trend ingredients, keeping our product offerings fresh and exciting.
• Work closely with quality assurance teams to establish and uphold rigorous quality standards for all sourced ingredients.
• Implement proactive measures to address potential quality issues and ensure product consistency.
• Proactively identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategies to enhance profitability.
• Drive sustainability initiatives within the sourcing process, advocating for environmentally friendly and responsibly sourced ingredients.
• Collaborate with suppliers to implement and support sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.

What You Bring to the Table:

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in ingredient sourcing, with focus on the food industry preferred.
• Proven track record of success in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated understanding of end-to-end CPG supply chain processes with an emphasis on the technical. aspects of food/beverage manufacturing and packaging.
• Proven track record of managing relationships with suppliers and delivering results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Personal Characteristics:

• Empathy, self-awareness, and respect.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to drive decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Passionate, intellectually curious, motivated, and approach the work with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment committed to innovation, growth, and delighting our customers is essential.
• An excellent collaborator and teammate who consistently demonstrates an aptitude to creatively solve challenges while treating internal and external partners with respect.

The position will be based out of our 20,000 sq. foot office in Walnut Creek, CA. We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the office on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumer and to have more fun. Fridays are flex days with employees having the opportunity to choose to be either in the office or to work from home based on what makes most sense for them.

10%-15% travel will be required for this role. 

Posted On: Saturday, July 27, 2024