Carolina Ingredients Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the ingredient sourcing strategy for Farmina's growing US manufacturing operation. The role will have end-to-end ownership of critical raw-material categories and the opportunity to build a strong North American supplier network from the ground up.

Company - Who We Are

Farmina is a family-owned Italian company built on the belief that nature and science belong together, developing all-natural, scientifically validated food that dogs and cats love.

We run five production plants across Italy, Serbia, Brazil and the United States, distribute in 75 countries, and employ 1,300 people, including 200 veterinarians, backed by our own quality-control laboratories and a scientific committee partnering with veterinary universities such as Cornell.

In June 2025 we opened our first North American manufacturing facility: a $115 million, 150,000 sq ft facility in Reidsville, North Carolina, expected to create 200 jobs over five years. It is the largest single investment in Farmina's history and the engine of our growth in the United States and Canada, bringing European standards, premium ingredients and our own food-safety protocols to the North American market.

Reidsville is young, ambitious and still writing its own playbook. If you would rather own a category than administer a process, and you want to see the result of your work coming off the line every day, this opportunity is for you.

We at Farmina firmly believe in our company motto: Happy pet. Happy you.

About the Role

As Strategic Sourcing Manager - Ingredients, you will own the sourcing of the raw materials that go into our US production: animal protein and fats, grains and cereals, palatants, vitamins and minerals. Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will be the single point of accountability for cost, cash, quality-compliant supply and continuity at Reidsville.

Your most important mission is localisation. As the US factory ramps up production, local sourcing of ingredients is paramount: it reduces our dependence on imported materials and shortens our lead times. Your role is to build a North American supplier base that matches or exceeds Farmina's high specification standards, and to manage that transition without any supply disruption while optimising inventory. To succeed in your mission you will not be alone: you join a global procurement community across Italy, Serbia and Brazil, and you will have the whole company's technical knowledge behind you.

What you will be doing

• Own end-to-end sourcing of ingredients for the Reidsville plant, from specification and supplier selection through negotiation, contract, order and delivery.
• Lead the US localisation agenda: identify, qualify and develop North American suppliers.
• Build the purchasing plan (weekly, monthly, quarterly) from the production plan and sales outlook, monitoring materials stock and lead time against just-in-time production.
• Manage and reduce inventory and optimize working capital, optimize ordering process and implement consignment and Vendor-Managed Inventory.
• Negotiate price, payment terms and contract structure.
• Secure supply: map single-source risks, qualify second sources for critical materials and maintain a documented business continuity plan.
• Partner with Quality on incoming specifications, certificates of analysis and non-conformity.
• Monitor material import flows: import licenses, health certificates, freight forwarders, customs and international transport.
• Work with sourcing managers and plants in Italy, Serbia and Brazil to pool volumes, share supplier and market intelligence, and align standards across the network.
• Build and maintain the supplier and raw material database, purchase and delivery reporting, and keep improving how the procurement department works.

Qualifications

We are looking for a hands-on candidate who is happy to own a category end-to-end. This is a single-person seat supported by a global team so autonomy, curiosity and the willingness to pick up the phone matter as much as the CV.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' purchasing experience in food, feed or agri-food manufacturing - or in ingredient / commodity supply serving those industries.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with a track record of measurable savings or cost avoidance.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficient in MS Office and standard business software
• Willingness to travel occasionally to visit suppliers

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Supply Chain, Logistics or Purchasing
• Working knowledge of animal-protein and/or grain markets
• Knowledge of commodity market and price references (CME, USDA and equivalent)
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV or similar ERP systems

This is an on-site position based at Farmina's manufacturing facility in Reidsville, North Carolina. Occasional flexibility outside standard business hours may be required to support production or supplier-related priorities.

What We Offer

• End-to-end ownership of critical ingredient categories, from strategy and supplier development through negotiation, with real autonomy to shape how Reidsville sources its raw materials.
• International exposure through direct collaboration with our Global Procurement team and our plants in Italy, Serbia and Brazil, and the opportunity to help build the procurement function from the ground up as Farmina North America grows.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits and much more.
• 90% Company Paid Employee Only Medical Plan Option
• 401K with Employer Matching Program
• Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off
• Employee Discounts

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.

Farmina is An Equal Opportunity Employer