Procurement Manager

Description:

Connecting People, Plants & Planet to Create Healing

Gaia Herbs takes pride in fostering a collaborative workplace where inspired sessions are the norm, and pitching in to support team success is required. We actively seek out team players who value mission-driven work and love bringing purpose to what we do every day.

Gaia Herbs is growing, and as the leading Herbal Supplement company, we feel an ever-increasing responsibility to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable economy. This is why our status as a Certified B Corporation is so important as we continue building exceptional teams who create great products, all while being great stewards of our farm and our planet.

We would love to be your next GREAT employer!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Procurement Manager leads all aspects of procurement for Gaia Herbs, including raw materials, indirect spend, packaging components, printed materials and contract manufactured goods. This role requires strategic and tactical decision-making to balance cost, quality, and timing to ensure continuous improvement of operating and financial results, and represents Gaia Herbs’ interests in negotiations, supplier development and establishment of contracts/agreements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures all procurement practices are aligned with Gaia’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Leads, develops, coaches, and mentors the Procurement team to ensure the highest standards of professional integrity are met.
• Creates and maintains inventory, cost, and other purchasing-related performance metrics and KPIs to ensure consistent supply chain performance.
• Leads the supplier development process to include monitoring and tracking supplier performance, finding new partners, and identifying opportunities for cost reduction, to include the evaluation and execution of supply agreements.
• Manages external Contract Manufacturing, in collaboration with New Product team, to ensure vendor capabilities and processes align with corporate goals and objectives.
• Develops supply chain management best practices in areas such as systems integration and optimization, inventory control, ethical sourcing, and supply risk mitigation.
• In cooperation with the Supply Chain Director, analyzes material requirements, requests vendor quotes, evaluates proposals, negotiate prices and awards business.
• Supports logistics activities to guarantee best pricing and timely deliveries of products.
• Recommends and maintains optimal inventory levels at various stages in the supply chain to achieve financial goals, customer satisfaction levels and mitigate inventory exposure.
• Collaborates with Global Sourcing, Demand Planning, and the Farm team to ensure robust and timely availability of raw materials and components for the production process.
• Works across the entire supplier network to develop strong relationships and innovative business practices that create shared value for both Gaia Herbs and our stakeholders (suppliers, their communities, and the environment).
• Supports the integration and measurement of regenerative practices on the Gaia Farm and within supplier network.
• Participates in the S&OP supply process by preparing data and metrics for review, identifying gaps and scenarios for presentation, and escalating priority topics for review where appropriate.
• Regularly evaluates the demand and production plans to ensure short and long-range availability of materials to meet supply requirements withing the framework of inventory targets.
• Collaborates with the New Product and R&D teams to ensure successful launch and management of all new products.
• Identifies potential new innovative ingredients, delivery systems and sustainable packaging, while providing support and expertise in R&D formula innovation.
• Monitors and manages purchase price variance (PPV) report and takes action to correct variances when necessary.
• Manages the annual procurement budgeting process with support of Supply Chain Director.
• Occasionally travels to domestic and international locations to meet with select partners.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Purchasers (3), Procurement Specialists (2), Contract Manufacturing Specialist

PM20

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain or business-related field.

APICS or similar Supply Chain certification preferred.

5-7 years of Procurement experience.

5 years of people management experience.

3 years of experience in raw materials, natural products, food ingredients, and/or botanical herbs.

Valid NC driver’s license and US Passport required for travel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Expert understanding of supply chain, procurement and manufacturing best processes.

Knowledge of business systems: ERP applications, Excel, Power Point, Financial reporting systems and supply chain planning systems.

In-depth understanding of botanical herbs, natural products, food ingredients and/or agricultural products preferred.

Ability to apply advanced modeling logic and design to solve complex business challenges and develop optimal solutions through complex scenario planning.

Self-motivated with high energy for business process improvement.

Expert in building strong relationships, with the ability to influence internal and external partners.

Strong negotiation skills and ability to develop win-win solutions.

Proven track record of consistent performance and delivery of assigned goals.

Strong analytical acumen with the ability to think critically at tactical and strategic levels, and understand interdependencies between demand, supply and operations.

Ability to demonstrate confidence when presenting to senior leaders.

Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Demonstrated leadership skills, business savvy and proven problem-solving ability.

Ability to learn products, categories, and channels in the herbal supplements industry.

Our Perks & Benefits:

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance – eligible the first day of the month after you start.

Health savings account

Wellness discounts on health insurance

PTO, sick leave, paid holidays

401(k) - 100% match up to 3%

Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus)

Stock Options

Volunteer time off

Voting time off

Recognition programs

Gaia product discounts

Birthday honey from the Gaian bees

Gaia swag

Nutritious lunches cooked by our own company chef using Gaia’s herbs, veggies and local organic meats.

Free farmer’s market during season from Gaia’s own 350-acre farm.

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at Gaia Herbs, Inc., where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. All employees and applicants will be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, in accordance with, and as defined by federal, state and local non-discrimination laws.