Instinct
Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships
Instinct, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63146
Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships
Instinct is a rapidly growing, family-owned marketer and manufacturer of science-based 100% natural pet food for dogs and cats. Our company mission is to Empower people to transform the lives of pets. We are committed to hiring and developing a team of passionate, performance-oriented professionals who live by our 4 values of championing raw, empowered to make a difference, collaborating as one team, and striving for excellence through continuous learning and improvement. The Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships will serve as a strategic, hands-on leader responsible for driving sourcing excellence, managing and developing key supplier and co-manufacturer relationships, and ensuring supply continuity across our product portfolio. This role will focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients and packaging, optimizing costs, supporting sustainability initiatives, and leading innovation partnerships. Primary Job Responsibilities Lead sourcing of ingredients, packaging, and indirect materials with a focus on quality, cost, innovation, and sustainability. Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, contracts, RFPs, and performance metrics. Drive COGS excellence initiatives to deliver cost savings and margin improvements. Analyze category and market trends to guide sourcing strategies and ensure supply resilience. Supplier & Co-Manufacturer Partnerships Serve as the primary liaison with co-manufacturers, ensuring compliance with Instinct standards and regulatory requirements. Oversee qualification and onboarding of new co-manufacturers. Conduct quarterly reviews, audits, and performance scorecard evaluations for all co-packers. Partner with QA to ensure co-manufacturers meet quality, safety, and accreditation requirements. Innovation & Sustainability Partner with R&D and sustainability teams to source lower-carbon proteins and recyclable/compostable packaging. Support company-wide sustainability and GHG reduction goals through supplier engagement. Actively participate in the cross-functional Innovation team, ensuring sourcing enables successful product launches. Required Experience Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, supply chain or other related discipline 10+ years of experience in sourcing/procurement, preferably in food, pet food, or CPG. Proven track record in managing co-manufacturers and external partnerships. Strong understanding of procurement strategy, supplier management, and S&OP processes. Preferred Experience 3+ years managing co-manufacturers with diverse processes (extrusion, baking, canning, dehydration, meat). Familiarity with sustainable sourcing certifications (e.g., MSC, RSPO). Experience with ERP systems and procurement analytics tools. Travel Requirements Requires travel up to 30% of the time Annual travel to Lincoln, NE – home of our Center of Excellence Raw Food Kitchens Compensation And Benefits Highly competitive compensation package includes health and dental insurance, life and AD&D insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, short and long-term disability, paid time off, Purpose Days off for company partner volunteer opportunities, and 401k with company match. Our
Instinct
is to
CHAMPION
Diversity. At Instinct, we are as passionate about our people as we are about the pets we call family. We are committed to inclusion, empowerment, and respect.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Instinct is a rapidly growing, family-owned marketer and manufacturer of science-based 100% natural pet food for dogs and cats. Our company mission is to Empower people to transform the lives of pets. We are committed to hiring and developing a team of passionate, performance-oriented professionals who live by our 4 values of championing raw, empowered to make a difference, collaborating as one team, and striving for excellence through continuous learning and improvement. The Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships will serve as a strategic, hands-on leader responsible for driving sourcing excellence, managing and developing key supplier and co-manufacturer relationships, and ensuring supply continuity across our product portfolio. This role will focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients and packaging, optimizing costs, supporting sustainability initiatives, and leading innovation partnerships. Primary Job Responsibilities Lead sourcing of ingredients, packaging, and indirect materials with a focus on quality, cost, innovation, and sustainability. Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, contracts, RFPs, and performance metrics. Drive COGS excellence initiatives to deliver cost savings and margin improvements. Analyze category and market trends to guide sourcing strategies and ensure supply resilience. Supplier & Co-Manufacturer Partnerships Serve as the primary liaison with co-manufacturers, ensuring compliance with Instinct standards and regulatory requirements. Oversee qualification and onboarding of new co-manufacturers. Conduct quarterly reviews, audits, and performance scorecard evaluations for all co-packers. Partner with QA to ensure co-manufacturers meet quality, safety, and accreditation requirements. Innovation & Sustainability Partner with R&D and sustainability teams to source lower-carbon proteins and recyclable/compostable packaging. Support company-wide sustainability and GHG reduction goals through supplier engagement. Actively participate in the cross-functional Innovation team, ensuring sourcing enables successful product launches. Required Experience Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, supply chain or other related discipline 10+ years of experience in sourcing/procurement, preferably in food, pet food, or CPG. Proven track record in managing co-manufacturers and external partnerships. Strong understanding of procurement strategy, supplier management, and S&OP processes. Preferred Experience 3+ years managing co-manufacturers with diverse processes (extrusion, baking, canning, dehydration, meat). Familiarity with sustainable sourcing certifications (e.g., MSC, RSPO). Experience with ERP systems and procurement analytics tools. Travel Requirements Requires travel up to 30% of the time Annual travel to Lincoln, NE – home of our Center of Excellence Raw Food Kitchens Compensation And Benefits Highly competitive compensation package includes health and dental insurance, life and AD&D insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, short and long-term disability, paid time off, Purpose Days off for company partner volunteer opportunities, and 401k with company match. Our
Instinct
is to
CHAMPION
Diversity. At Instinct, we are as passionate about our people as we are about the pets we call family. We are committed to inclusion, empowerment, and respect.
#J-18808-Ljbffr