Strategic Thinker Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.

Request Foods is seeking a Strategic Procurement Manager to lead the procurement function for raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and indirect goods within a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees sourcing strategies, supplier management, cost control, and compliance to ensure a reliable and efficient supply chain. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, strategic sourcing expertise, and a deep understanding of the food manufacturing industry. Likewise, a key element of this role is to elevate the supplier relationship management and development for assigned categories. Additionally, the candidate will possess strong technical and relationship-based leadership skills, a keen eye for detail, and a proven track record of strategic sourcing across multiple categories of spend. This position will report to the Director of Procurement.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business goals and production needs
• Lead and manage a team of procurement buyers and/or analysts
• Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships to ensure food safety, quality, service, and cost targets are met
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers in alignment with company goals
• Monitor supplier performance and maintain strong supplier relationships
• Monitor and analyze market trends, risks, and opportunities to optimize cost and supply continuity. Mitigate supply chain risk and business interruptions
• Ensure effective new product development and innovation through timely sourcing and supplier engagement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R amp;D, Quality Assurance, Production, and Finance to ensure compliance with business requirements
• Lead and drive cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement projects within the procurement function.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing practices
• Manage and support annual procurement budgets, KPIs, and reporting metrics.
• Support audits and regulatory inspections related to procurement and supplier management.

Key Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Food Science, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 7–10 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial role within food manufacturing
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Strong knowledge of food ingredients, packaging materials, and commodity markets
• Expertise in contract negotiation, cost analysis, and supplier performance management
• Continuous improvement (CI) mindset
• Strong project management skills with experience of managing a portfolio of sourcing/CI and value improvement projects
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to procurement challenges
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing business conditions and make effective decisions under pressure
• Experience with sustainability and ethical sourcing practices
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and Microsoft Office Suite
• Procurement certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is a plus

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k