Director of Procurement
Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, CA, United States
Duration: Full Time
Work Shift:
DayPay Type:
SalaryHourly Rate (if applicable):
N/ATargeted Base Salary Range (if applicable):
$178,800.00 - $241,400.00JOB OVERVIEW:
The Director of Procurement is the operational leader of the procurement function, accountable for delivering cost, cash, service, and risk objectives across a $400m+ annual spend portfolio.This role leads a team of procurement professionals and is expected to be hands-on, commercially sharp, and deeply involved in supplier negotiations, sourcing decisions, and day-to-day execution. The role requires strong business judgment, disciplined follow-through, and clear people leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Key Accountabilities
1. Operational Procurement Leadership
- Own end-to-end procurement execution, from demand alignment and sourcing strategy through contracting, ordering, and supplier performance.
- Ensure procurement supports production continuity, innovation timelines, and business priorities with minimal disruption.
- Be actively involved in key sourcing decisions and negotiations, especially for high-value, high-risk, or strategic suppliers.
- Translate business needs into clear sourcing plans, negotiation strategies, and execution roadmaps.
2. Spend Ownership & Value Delivery
- Deliver year-over-year cost savings, cash improvements, and risk mitigation in line with AOP targets.
- Personally lead or sponsor major negotiations (pricing, payment terms, capacity commitments, service levels).
- Drive vendor consolidation where it improves leverage, simplicity, and total cost of ownership.
- Track, validate, and report realized savings, not just negotiated savings, in partnership with Finance.
3. Supplier & Contract Management
- Own the supplier relationship model for top strategic and high-risk suppliers.
- Ensure contracts are commercially sound, enforceable, and actively managed (pricing, service levels, penalties, renewal timing).
- Lead supplier performance reviews, including corrective actions for underperformance.
- Escalate and resolve supply, quality, or commercial disputes decisively.
4. Inventory, Planning & Replenishment Oversight
- Oversee replenishment and MRP execution to balance service, inventory levels, and working capital.
- Partner with Operations and Finance to set and adjust planning parameters, safety stocks, and reorder logic.
- Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory through better sourcing and planning decisions.
5. Team Leadership & Accountability
- Lead execution-focused team with clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations.
- Coach buyers on negotiation preparation, supplier management, and commercial thinking.
- Hold the team accountable for deadlines, accuracy, follow-through, and results.
- Ensure workload is balanced and execution does not rely on heroics or individual workarounds.
6. Cross-Functional Business Partnership
- Act as a commercial partner to Operations, Finance, Engineering, Marketing, R&D, and Quality.
- Support new product introductions and innovation with timely sourcing, cost models, and supplier readiness.
- Align procurement actions with financial targets, operational constraints, and growth initiatives.
7. Systems, Data & Process Discipline
- Ensure disciplined use of SAP and procurement processes (RFQs, contracts, POs, vendor master data) promoting automation and process adherence
- Drive consistency, transparency, and auditability in procurement execution.
- Use data to manage spend, supplier performance, and team productivity - not spreadsheets owned by individuals.
Supervisory:
- 4 Direct Reports
Required Experience & Profile
- 10+ years in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain roles with direct negotiation responsibility.
- Proven experience managing large spend portfolios ($250m+ preferred).
- Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations (pricing, terms, capacity, contracts).
- Experience managing both direct and indirect spend.
- Strong people leadership skills with a hands-on, accountable management style.
- Solid financial acumen (cost drivers, P\&L impact, working capital).
- SAP experience strongly preferred.
- Industry experience in food, CPG, manufacturing, or agriculture is a plus but not mandatory.
- Results-driven, decisive, and comfortable operating in detail.
- Clear communicator who sets expectations and follows through.
- Commercially minded, not process-theoretical.
- Willing to step into negotiations and execution when required.
- Builds credibility through delivery, not presentation
Would consider remote-hybrid with 25-50% travel required
Blue Diamond Growers is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer
EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability
WHY BLUE DIAMOND?
In addition to working at the world's largest, state-of-the-art almond manufacturer, we offer a safe and collaborative team environment, with numerous opportunities for free training and career advancement. Check out the BDG Benefits, Health & Wellness GuideHERE.
Grow your career. Partner with us. We Are the Almond People!
Ready to get started? Apply now!