Sr Manager Packaging Development and Strategic Sourcing

Summary

This role leads the Packaging Development and Sourcing teams and creates and ensures execution of the enterprise packaging strategy.

This role will drive operational excellence from the team and our suppliers. This role will set the strategic direction for the Packaging organization that aligns with Amy’s Kitchen strategic priorities and Annual Operating Plan and responsible for $40M in annual spend.

The Senior Manager, Packaging Development & Strategic Sourcing will lead, coach, and develop Packaging Engineers and Strategic Sourcing Specialists.

This role will deliver value for the company through the ideation and execution of innovation and strategic sourcing projects that reduce & control cost, improve quality, drive efficiency, and contribute to positive social and environmental impact.

This role will also serve as a technical resource to support the execution of various packaging material development and capital installation projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Overall

• Leverage deep industry experience, knowledge of relevant industry trends and Amy’s strategic priorities to develop the vision and strategy for the packaging organization.
• Evolve and own the packaging strategy, including market evaluation, supplier fit assessment, risk analysis and mitigation, and innovation opportunities.
• Cultivate a culture of collaboration both internally within the packaging team as well as with cross-functional teams and supplier partners.
• Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), regularly measure performance to target and course correct as needed.

Packaging Development & Innovation

• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership to a team of Packaging Development Engineers.
• Develop and deliver innovative packaging solutions that contribute cost savings, increase efficiency and / or safety and position the packaging organization for future-readiness.
• Build & maintain influential relationships with Operations, Marketing, Food Safety, Sensory and Sustainability to ensure highly collaborative and successful project management.
• Drive sustainable packaging solutions in partnership with the Sustainability Director.

Strategic Sourcing

• Accountable for successful execution of the Strategic Sourcing process including market research, contract review, RFQ generation, negotiation, and presentation of recommendations to Senior Leadership.
• Lead the Supplier Relationship Management program including mutually beneficial goal setting, quarterly Business Review Meetings with Tier 1 suppliers, and regular performance management.
• Leverage strong financial acumen in management of $40M annual spend Create budget, track spend and cost savings, and scenario plan.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy’s Food Safety and Quality Policy. This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will have direct report responsibilities of packaging engineers and strategic sourcing specialists. At times, they may also be required to supervise the daily activities of other employees or contractors working on projects he / she is managing.

Qualifications and Skills

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Packaging Engineering or other engineering disciplines, or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience.

EXPERIENCE

• 12-18 years of Packaging Engineering and / or Sourcing experience in a food manufacturing and / or CPG enterprise, having multi-plant responsibility.
• 6+ years experience in a management role with demonstrated career progression.
• Sustainable / compostable packaging experience is a plus.

SKILLS

Required :

• Exceptional at building & leading high performing teams.
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen and can translate high-level organization performance to team-level objectives.
• Big-picture oriented, with experience setting strategic goals and achieving them.
• Leads with a continuous improvement mindset, constantly engaging and challenging team, partners, and suppliers for opportunities to improve.
• Effective in creating a team culture committed to proactivity, creativity, detail-orientation, technical savvy, collaboration, and kindness with both internal and external partners.
• Proven ability to anticipate and adapt to change, including engaging and supporting team members through changes.
• Excellent project management skills with experience leading teams in execution of complex and multi-disciplinary projects.
• Highly experienced in CAD programming with packaging and engineering layout design.
• Possesses a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Project, AutoCAD from Autodesk and TOPS / CAPE.
• Experience presenting confidently and competently to Senior Leadership, internal stakeholders, and external suppliers, always representing the team in a positive and professional manner.

Preferred :

• Packaging development and commercialization experience in a new product introduction from concept through execution.
• Experience in continuous improvement cultures. Lean Thinking, TPM or Six-Sigma methodologies.
• Experience working in consumer product environment
• Understanding of Food plant GMPs
• Highly aware of Food and Human safety requirements

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to interpret technical data, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to effectively present information to employees at all levels, including ownership and senior leadership.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as basic statistics.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to comprehend and apply principles of modern algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to define problems and assemble critical data, establishing the facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

CPP Preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; use hands for fine manipulation, handling, or feeling;

reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and / or humid conditions, cold (coolers and freezers) and hot (processing equipment) conditions, and moving mechanical parts.

The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

TRAVEL

30% to different Amy’s Plant locations and Suppliers

Bay area California Compensation Range : $142,400-213,600