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Director of Supply Chain & Product Sourcing (Poultry/Chicken)

The Director of Supply Chain & Product Sourcing is responsible for developing and executing the organization's end-to-end supply chain strategy, with a primary focus on poultry (chicken) procurement, product sourcing, manufacturing partnerships, distribution, and logistics. This role ensures a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality supply chain that supports operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth.

The Director will lead strategic supplier relationships, oversee distribution and freight operations, manage inventory and forecasting initiatives, and collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality Assurance, Finance, Sales, and Product Development teams. The ideal candidate brings extensive foodservice supply chain expertise, deep poultry industry knowledge, and a proven ability to lead complex distribution networks across multiple markets.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership

• Develop and execute supply chain strategies that support company growth, profitability, and service objectives.
• Lead sourcing, procurement, logistics, inventory management, and distribution activities across North America.
• Identify opportunities to improve service levels, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and enhance supply chain resiliency.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting processes to measure supplier, logistics, and operational performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supply chain network.

Poultry Product Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with poultry processors, manufacturers, suppliers, and co-packers.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, pricing structures, service levels, and contract terms to maximize value and ensure continuity of supply.
• Monitor poultry market conditions, commodity trends, production capacity, and industry developments to proactively manage supply risks.
• Collaborate with suppliers on product innovation, quality improvements, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Evaluate and qualify new suppliers while maintaining robust supplier performance management programs.

Vendor & Manufacturing Management

• Oversee supplier onboarding, compliance, audits, and performance evaluations.
• Partner with manufacturing facilities to ensure product quality, food safety, capacity planning, and operational efficiency.
• Manage supplier scorecards and corrective action plans when performance issues arise.
• Ensure vendors meet company standards related to quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability.

Logistics & Distribution Management

• Direct freight, warehousing, and distribution activities across multiple distribution centers and geographic regions.
• Optimize transportation networks, carrier relationships, and delivery performance.
• Collaborate with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), distributors, and internal stakeholders to ensure efficient product movement.
• Develop contingency plans to address supply disruptions, transportation challenges, and capacity constraints.
• Monitor inventory levels and demand forecasts to maintain optimal product availability while minimizing waste and carrying costs.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure supply chain operations comply with applicable food safety regulations and industry standards, including FSMA, GMPs, and GFSI-recognized programs.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams to manage supplier compliance, product specifications, audits, and traceability requirements.
• Support crisis management and product recall activities when necessary.
• Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory requirements impacting poultry sourcing and foodservice operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Culinary, Product Development, Quality, Finance, and Sales teams to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Support new product launches through supplier selection, capacity planning, and supply chain readiness.
• Provide leadership and guidance during annual budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes.
• Present supply chain performance, market intelligence, and sourcing strategies to executive leadership.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop supply chain, sourcing, and procurement professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Establish clear performance expectations and support professional development initiatives.
• Promote strong internal and external relationships through transparent communication and partnership.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in foodservice supply chain management, procurement, sourcing, or logistics, including significant poultry/chicken industry experience.
• Demonstrated success managing vendor relationships, contract negotiations, freight operations, and distribution networks.
• Experience developing and executing sourcing strategies within complex foodservice or food manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience utilizing supply chain systems, ERP platforms, forecasting tools, and data analytics to drive decision-making.
• Ability to travel up to 25% throughout North America.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing multi-city or multi-regional distribution networks supporting custom food products or ingredients.
• Strong understanding of poultry processing, manufacturing operations, and commodity markets.
• Knowledge of GMPs, FSMA regulations, GFSI-recognized food safety standards, and supplier quality programs.
• Experience working with food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and third-party logistics providers.