Lief Labs Hiring for Leader Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain at Valencia, CA Full Time

Lief Labs is a premier formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements. Our in-house Product Development and R&D team create the best-tasting and most cutting-edge formulations of supplements. Lief also houses a state-of-the-art, full-service Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) manufacturing facility, which offers custom solutions for a multitude of supplement categories. Lief collaborates with entrepreneurial firms to help them build premier brands. Our turnkey solutions allow us to engage in seamless partnerships that help brands with scalability and sustainable growth. The company is based in Valencia, CA.

Summary

The Leader of Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain will play a critical role in ensuring the efficient procurement and management of raw materials, packaging, and other supplies necessary for production. Your primary objective will be to develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives, drive cost savings, maintain quality standards, and optimize the overall supply chain operations. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including procurement, production, quality assurance, and logistics, to ensure the smooth flow of materials and achieve the company’s strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic sourcing strategy for food manufacturing operations, considering factors such as quality, cost, reliability, and sustainability.
  • Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, negotiate contracts, and establish strategic partnerships to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of raw materials, packaging, and other supplies.
  • Monitor market trends, conduct supplier assessments, and stay updated on industry best practices to identify new sourcing opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
  • Lead supplier selection processes, including RFIs, RFPs, and supplier evaluations, to ensure the selection of suppliers that meet quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Supply Chain Management:
  • Oversee the end-to-end supply chain, including demand planning, inventory management, production scheduling, and distribution, while ensuring adherence to food safety and quality standards.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement supply chain improvement initiatives, such as reducing lead times, optimizing inventory levels, and streamlining logistics operations.
  • Monitor and analyze supply chain performance metrics, such as on-time delivery, fill rates, and production efficiency, and implement corrective actions to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies related to food safety, quality, and traceability throughout the supply chain.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
  • Foster strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring open lines of communication and prompt issue resolution to minimize supply disruptions.
  • Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations, track key metrics, and provide feedback to drive supplier improvement and ensure consistent product quality and availability.
  • Collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement sustainability initiatives aligned with the company’s objectives.
  • Lead contract negotiations, manage supplier contracts and ensure compliance with agreed-upon terms and conditions.
• Risk Management:
  • Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to minimize supply chain disruptions and ensure business continuity.
  • Monitor and manage supply chain risks related to demand volatility, geopolitical factors, regulatory changes, and other external factors.
  • Establish robust contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to address potential risks and vulnerabilities.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of sourcing and supply chain professionals.
  • Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
  • Set clear performance goals and objectives, conduct regular performance evaluations, and promote a collaborative work environment.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes supervisory responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience:

• Extensive experience (8+ years) in strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply chain management in the food manufacturing industry, preferably in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food sourcing strategies, supplier management, contract negotiation, and supply chain best practices.
• In-depth understanding of food safety and quality requirements, regulatory compliance, and industry standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex data and make data-driven decisions.
• Outstanding negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with experience in leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Proficiency in using supply chain management software and systems specific to the food manufacturing industry.

Skills/ Abilities

• Problem-Solving
• Planning & Organizing
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Relationship Management
• Time Management
• Ability to interact at all levels
• Ability to work as a team member
• Flexibility/ adaptability/ multi-tasking

Work Environment

The work environment is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated. Noise levels are considered low to moderate. Field conditions vary.

Exposed to various raw materials, including allergens (i.e. milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanuts, wheat, soy).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly require grasping items. This position is active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day.

Ability to operate a forklift and other warehouse equipment.

The employee must frequently grasp, lift and/or move and carry items up to 20 pounds.

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

Additional Information
The Salary Range for this position at Lief Labs is $135k – $200k -(USD) annually. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to market demands, experience, training, skills, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, wellness benefits, education reimbursement program, and PTO. This position is bonus eligible.

Lief is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, contact the Lief Human Resources department.

Lief will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Lief uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility in the United States. E-Verify compares the information on your Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to official government records.