Director of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Company Description: Instinct® is a rapidly growing, family-owned marketer and manufacturer of science based 100% natural pet food for dogs and cats. Instinct® is the Raw Brand, with a mission to get more raw nutrition into every bowl of dogs and cats, for proven healthier and happier long lives. 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. Our home office is located in St. Louis, Missouri with our Center of Excellence Raw Food kitchens in Lincoln, Nebraska. Instinct® is part of the family-owned group, Agrolimen, who owns leading pet food and human food businesses in the US, China, Europe, and Africa. Position Summary:

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on, and collaborative Director of Sourcing & Procurement to lead our procurement function. Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer (COO), this leader will be responsible for sourcing high-quality ingredients and packaging, driving cost and operational efficiencies, supporting sustainability initiatives, and ensuring supply continuity across both self-manufactured and co-manufactured product lines. This role will also lead COGS excellence initiatives in their function, serve as the point person for contracts, RFPs, and key vendor relationships, and collaborate with sister business units to identify and execute group procurement synergies.

Additionally, this leader will be an active member of the cross-functional Innovation team, contributing to the successful development and commercialization of new products and packaging formats. Primary Job Responsibilities: Strategic Sourcing & ProcurementLead sourcing of ingredients, packaging, and indirect materials with a focus on quality, cost, and sustainability. Develop and manage supplier relationships, contracts, and performance metrics. Drive cost savings and margin improvement through COGS excellence initiatives. Analyze category trends to guide strategic purchasing decisions and enhance forecasting accuracy. Sustainability & InnovationPartner with R&D and sustainability teams to source lower-carbon impact proteins and recyclable/compostable packaging.

Support company-wide GHG reduction goals through procurement strategies and supplier engagement. Actively contribute to the Innovation team by supporting ingredient and packaging innovation, feasibility assessments, and supplier collaboration. S&OP & Cross-Functional LeadershipLead the S&OP process and play a key role in ensuring alignment between supply planning, demand forecasting, and procurement. Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Quality, and Finance to support new product launches and continuous improvement. Team LeadershipLead and develop a team of procurement professionals with expertise in ingredients, packaging, analytics, and project execution. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.

Risk Management & Project ExecutionOversee ingredient and packaging trials, monitor supply chain risks, and ensure successful project execution. Lead initiatives to reduce excess & obsolete inventory and improve working capital. Group Synergies & Vendor StrategyCollaborate with sister business units to create greater group procurement synergies. Serve as the lead for all contracts, RFPs, and strategic vendor relationships. Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, supply chain or other related discipline10+ years of experience in sourcing/procurement, preferably in food, pet food, or CPG. Proven track record of leading sourcing strategies that support sustainability and innovation.

Strong understanding of supply chain planning and S&OP processes. Excellent negotiation, analytical, and project management skills. Experience managing and developing high-performing teams. Preferred Experience: Familiarity with sustainable sourcing certifications (e. g. , MSC, RSPO, etc. )Experience with ERP systems and procurement analytics tools. Background in frozen or freeze-dried food manufacturing. Experience working with co-manufacturers and managing external production relationships. Passion for pets and wellness is a plus!Travel Requirements:

Requires travel up to 20% of the timeAnnual travel to Lincoln, NE – home of our Center of Excellence Raw Food KitchensCompensation And BenefitsHighly 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 DiversityAt 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.

We believe that just like our pets, what sets us apart unleashes our greatest strengths. We thrive on the ability to not only empower people to transform the lives of pets through raw nutrition, but also to empower each other to inspire a culture that celebrates our differences. Our unique approach to pet food is what makes us who we are as a company, and our individual identities are what makes us a successful, innovative, authentic team.