Director Sourcing/Procurement - Commodities

SunOpta Overview:

SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food. With roots tracing back over 50 years, SunOpta drives growth for today’s leading brands by serving as a trusted innovation partner and value-added manufacturer, crafting organic, plant-based beverages, fruit snacks, nutritional beverages, broths and tea products sold through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels. Alongside the company’s commitment to top brands, retailers and coffee shops, SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®, and West Life™. For more information, visit SunOpta and LinkedIn.


SunOpta is looking for talented individuals that demonstrate our most valued behaviors: Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solver, to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food!


Summary:
The Director of Sourcing & Procurement is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives for key commodity and ingredient categories. This role will drive operational excellence, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation while ensuring alignment with business objectives and market dynamics. The position requires strong leadership, deep market expertise, advanced negotiation skills, and a strategic vision to optimize supply chain performance and deliver long-term value. Additionally, the role will focus on long-term strategy roadmap development, securing buy-in from stakeholders, and executing initiatives to drive sustainable procurement excellence.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Leadership:
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine sourcing and procurement strategies to enhance business performance across commodity categories (Grains, Pulses, Sweeteners, Nuts, Fruits).
• Lead supplier negotiations, ensuring cost competitiveness, supply security, and long-term partnerships that drive operational efficiency.
• Analyze global market trends, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical risks to guide sourcing decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement effectiveness, supplier collaboration, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop and execute a long-term strategic roadmap for sourcing and procurement, securing organizational buy-in, and ensuring successful execution.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management:
• Establish, cultivate, and strengthen strategic supplier relationships to ensure best-in-class service, quality, and innovation.
• Lead contract negotiations and ensure adherence to corporate procurement policies and compliance regulations.
• Develop supplier scorecards and performance metrics to monitor and optimize vendor contributions.
• Identify and implement supplier development programs to enhance value creation and supply resilience.

Cost Management & Value Optimization:
• Drive cost reduction strategies through competitive bidding, strategic sourcing, and supply base optimization.
• Implement robust cost models and procurement tools to support budget adherence and financial objectives.
• Develop and execute risk management strategies, including hedging, volume aggregation, and alternative sourcing options.
• Lead the development of true cost models and cost analysis methodologies to enhance pricing accuracy and procuremnt efficiency.
• Establish value pricing models to ensure cost -effective sourcing while delivering optimal value to stakeholders.

Risk Management & Compliance:
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including price volatility, supply disruptions, and geopolitical impacts.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, sustainability initiatives, and corporate social responsibility goals.
• Establish and enforce procurement standard operating procedures to align with industry best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership:
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and Business Management, to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Provide market intelligence and insights to support business decision-making and product development initiatives.
• Champion a culture of innovation, agility, and collaboration across the procurement function.
• Lead sell in initiatives to gain alignment on sourcing and procurement strategies across key business units, ensuring seamless execution and operational integration.

Key Competencies:
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Strategic thinker with a proven ability to execute in a dynamic business e