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Overview
Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide. Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste. Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference. Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.
Role Description
The Procurement Manager, Ingredients, will play a key role on the Procurement, Supply Chain, and Operations teams. This role will support Simple Mills’ continued growth through the execution of sourcing strategies, supplier management, and cross‑functional collaboration. The position will report to the Procurement Director, Ingredients and responsibilities will include: Execute sourcing and category plans for assigned ingredient categories, ensuring alignment with cost objectives, quality standards, and sustainability goals. Manage supplier interactions including day-to-day communications, performance tracking, and coordination of periodic business reviews. Hands-on execution of material planning for assigned categories, including purchase order placement and inventory reconciliation at co-manufacturers, ensuring timely procurement of materials. Develop and manage material planning strategies to ensure adequate inventory levels across the network. Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Quality, and R&D to translate internal business needs into procurement action. Contribute to Simple Mills’ People & Planet Mission by integrating sustainability and regenerative sourcing principles into procurement practices. Leverage spend analytics and budget forecasts to inform sourcing decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities. Monitor commodity markets, supplier landscapes, and industry trends to inform purchasing decisions and risk mitigation planning. Support RFP/RFI processes and assist in vendor evaluation and selection activities. Maintain procurement documentation including contracts, pricing trackers, forecasts, and supplier scorecards. Identify and support process improvements, including enhancements to ERP systems and automation of routine purchasing activities. Assist with monthly budget cycles, forecasting, invoice resolution, and cost variance analysis. Performs other projects as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Food Science, or related field required. 4+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably within food & beverage, CPG, or ingredient categories. Proven track record in ingredient sourcing, supplier relationship management, and vendor evaluation. Strong knowledge of commodity markets, category management, and risk mitigation strategies. Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills; experience with spend analytics and forecasting tools. Demonstrated ability to manage purchase orders, inventory planning, and material reconciliation across a distributed network. Experience with contract management, RFP/RFI processes, and cost-saving initiatives. Familiarity with sustainability and regenerative agriculture principles and ability to integrate them into sourcing practices. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage documentation (contracts, forecasts, supplier scorecards, pricing trackers). Analytical problem-solver with initiative to drive process improvements and ERP/automation enhancements.
Intrinsic Qualities
Self-starter with a proactive mindset Strong follow-through and accountability without needing micromanagement Resourceful, curious, and eager to learn Positive attitude and team-first mindset Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment with shifting priorities
Benefits
Working at Simple Mills — benefits include competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, work-life flexibility, and professional development. See details below. Competitive Compensation: Salary range $100,000 - $115,000 Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) Work-Life Flexibility: Unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays, and a sabbatical after five years of service Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and product perks
Work Model
Our work model is role-dependent and team-focused. This position will be hybrid: a balance of in-person and virtual work. Hybrid employees will work from our Chicago, IL office at least once per week. When working remotely, employees must work from a designated location in the United States with sufficient internet access for video conferencing. Safety protocols follow CDC recommendations. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations during the application process and employment where needed. For accommodation requests, please contact careers@simplemills.com.
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Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide. Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste. Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference. Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.
Role Description
The Procurement Manager, Ingredients, will play a key role on the Procurement, Supply Chain, and Operations teams. This role will support Simple Mills’ continued growth through the execution of sourcing strategies, supplier management, and cross‑functional collaboration. The position will report to the Procurement Director, Ingredients and responsibilities will include: Execute sourcing and category plans for assigned ingredient categories, ensuring alignment with cost objectives, quality standards, and sustainability goals. Manage supplier interactions including day-to-day communications, performance tracking, and coordination of periodic business reviews. Hands-on execution of material planning for assigned categories, including purchase order placement and inventory reconciliation at co-manufacturers, ensuring timely procurement of materials. Develop and manage material planning strategies to ensure adequate inventory levels across the network. Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Quality, and R&D to translate internal business needs into procurement action. Contribute to Simple Mills’ People & Planet Mission by integrating sustainability and regenerative sourcing principles into procurement practices. Leverage spend analytics and budget forecasts to inform sourcing decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities. Monitor commodity markets, supplier landscapes, and industry trends to inform purchasing decisions and risk mitigation planning. Support RFP/RFI processes and assist in vendor evaluation and selection activities. Maintain procurement documentation including contracts, pricing trackers, forecasts, and supplier scorecards. Identify and support process improvements, including enhancements to ERP systems and automation of routine purchasing activities. Assist with monthly budget cycles, forecasting, invoice resolution, and cost variance analysis. Performs other projects as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Food Science, or related field required. 4+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably within food & beverage, CPG, or ingredient categories. Proven track record in ingredient sourcing, supplier relationship management, and vendor evaluation. Strong knowledge of commodity markets, category management, and risk mitigation strategies. Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills; experience with spend analytics and forecasting tools. Demonstrated ability to manage purchase orders, inventory planning, and material reconciliation across a distributed network. Experience with contract management, RFP/RFI processes, and cost-saving initiatives. Familiarity with sustainability and regenerative agriculture principles and ability to integrate them into sourcing practices. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage documentation (contracts, forecasts, supplier scorecards, pricing trackers). Analytical problem-solver with initiative to drive process improvements and ERP/automation enhancements.
Intrinsic Qualities
Self-starter with a proactive mindset Strong follow-through and accountability without needing micromanagement Resourceful, curious, and eager to learn Positive attitude and team-first mindset Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment with shifting priorities
Benefits
Working at Simple Mills — benefits include competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, work-life flexibility, and professional development. See details below. Competitive Compensation: Salary range $100,000 - $115,000 Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) Work-Life Flexibility: Unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays, and a sabbatical after five years of service Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and product perks
Work Model
Our work model is role-dependent and team-focused. This position will be hybrid: a balance of in-person and virtual work. Hybrid employees will work from our Chicago, IL office at least once per week. When working remotely, employees must work from a designated location in the United States with sufficient internet access for video conferencing. Safety protocols follow CDC recommendations. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations during the application process and employment where needed. For accommodation requests, please contact careers@simplemills.com.
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