Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Cheese

Position: Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Cheese

Location: Toronto, ON

About Us:

We are proud to say we are one of Forbes 2022 Canada’s Best Employers; here’s why!

Lactalis Canada is enriching and nurturing the lives of Canadians with a diverse offering of dairy products such as Black Diamond Cheese, Lactantia Milk, Astro Yogurt, Balderson Cheese, and Cheestrings; our products are in 94% of Canadian homes! For over 140 years we’ve grown through innovation and a strong dedication to quality, and we’re looking for like minded individuals to keep that growth progressing by joining our team!

We offer a hybrid working model to accommodate the evolving needs of our employees, allowing for flexible work-weeks with 40% work-from-home. Our office has a collaborative, newly renovated workspace with a number of amazing benefits; free parking, free coffee, free yummy Lactalis snacks, a free on-site gym and other great perks to provide the best possible environment for success!

About the opportunity:

The strategic sourcing specialist is a key member of the North American Strategic Procurement team, responsible for developing and implementing short and medium term purchasing strategies that deliver best-in-class results in the areas of processes, costs and supply, as well as the implementation and ongoing integrity of purchasing policies, practices, and systems. He/she works in strong collaboration and has to develop relationship/network with the North America procurement team.

This position assists in the development and implementation of strategies for supporting the Lactalis Canada operations, timelines and deliverables. This position will support in the execution of strategies through analysis of spend data and understanding of affiliate business needs and will also participate in the overall management of supplier relationships including performance, innovation and sustainability management. This person is used to working in a global and matrixial organization. He/she operates under the leadership of the Category Associate Director.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Perform administrative duties such as tracking cost savings initiatives and providing monthly status reports vs. objective targets and reviewing and ensuring correctness of pricelist. Manage PPV
• Participate as an active cross-functional team member, along with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, Technical Packaging, Sales and Marketing and other key functional areas of the business for effective project execution such as new launches, line extensions, and process optimization. The scope includes sourcing, pricing, as well as sharing process improvements ideas provided by the vendors.
• Identify and execute value analysis and vendor transfer savings opportunities as a cross-functional effort to deliver cost reduction targets and optimize other performance measures such as on-time delivery & lead time on purchased goods and services, without jeopardizing quality, flexibility and supply continuity.
• Develop supplier relationships to optimize supplier quality and performance, including continuous improvement, innovation, and reduction in total cost of ownership to add value to North America region. Resolve supplier quality and supplier non-conformance concerns.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and management of the strategy for Canadian cheese category, making sure the needs and specifications of the CBU are considered.
• Support the development of local /regional sourcing strategies for the portfolio managed through detailed analysis of historical & current spend data, combined with sourcing and research of new suppliers.
• Perform administrative duties as identified by procurement leadership supporting overall North American strategy.
• Participate as an active cross-functional team member, along with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, Packaging Development, Sales and Marketing, and other key functional areas of the business for effective project execution such as new launches, lien extensions, and process optimization. The scope includes sourcing, pricing, as well as sharing process improvements ideas provided by the vendors.
• Identifies and develops productivity projects for Lactalis Canada and other Lactalis affiliates in North America.
• Provides general support for the North America Purchasing team (Canada & US) in SRM, support of quality documentation collection, design, business cases, etc.
• Support global negotiation initiatives led by corporate office global procurement by providing information such as pricing specifications and vendor listings and negotiating at local level.
• Develop and/or support supplier relationships to optimize supplier quality and performance, including continuous improvement, innovation, reduction in total cost of ownership to add value to Lactalis. Resolve supplier quality and supplier non-conformance concerns.
• Support the bid process by consulting with users to determine the expectations; preparing bid documents; performing bid analysis, teaming up and/or leading the negotiation and preparing the recommendations regarding vendor contracts.
• Identify and execute negotiation cost savings initiatives. Manage and implement upstream activities with suppliers.

What you will bring:

• Strong planning, project management, leadership skills and execution skills
• High level of initiative, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to operate in a team environment with the ability to motivate others
• Canadian dairy experience preferred
• Rigorous data driven/analytical capability and ability to present data to a leadership level
• Industrial and/or Supply Chain Purchasing experience preferred
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office products and the Internet.
• Ability to adapt in a changing work environment
• University degree or College diploma in a related discipline
• Ease of presenting in front of small to medium size groups and leadership
• Bilingual (French/English) is an asset
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within specified time constraints
• Strong negotiation & presentation skills
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in an operations and/or corporate procurement function, preferably at a food manufacturing company

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• Maternity / Adoption / Parental top up program
• Competitive Compensation package
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• Flexibility for course examinations
• Paid bereavement and jury duty time off
• Dress for your day culture
• Comprehensive extended Health and Dental Benefits effective day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Paid leave to an employee for either an application or confirmation of citizenship
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Flexible work arrangements
• A Performance-Based Bonus System

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/EOE

Bring Your Uniqueness to Grow Our Culture

We believe each and every individual within the organization provides value. When we encourage and include the voices of all diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we open doors to unforeseen growth and allow individuals to bring their full authentic selves to work. In order to celebrate the uniqueness of our people and the communities in which we operate, we are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive workplace that fosters real belonging for all.

Lactalis is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the member of the Talent Acquisition team in a timely fashion of any disabilities that requires accommodation measures in order to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.

Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.