Direct Procurement Manager - Ingredients

Company Overview

Trident Seafoods is North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood company—partnering with fishermen, employees, and communities to responsibly harvest, process, and share wild Alaska seafood with the world. Headquartered in Seattle, Trident is privately held and committed to safety, sustainability, and excellence while fostering a values‑driven culture where growth, purpose, and recognition matter.

Responsibilities

The Direct Procurement Manager for Ingredients is responsible for all strategic planning and sourcing activities in the ingredients space. This role builds comprehensive strategies, drives sustainable cost‑control, and collaborates with suppliers and internal Business Units (Operations, R&D, Legal, Finance, Quality, and Procurement) to deliver innovative solutions.

• Lead mid‑ to executive‑level client and supplier relationships to ensure support‑team satisfaction.
• Lead sourcing and category management for ingredients, identifying and assessing new supplier partners for financial and quality viability.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, Regulatory, Marketing, and other Business Units to align procurement decisions with product development timelines, regulatory constraints, and brand objectives.
• Establish and deliver performance goals for a portfolio of ingredient categories representing a significant spend.
• Conduct strategic discussions with critical suppliers on long‑term objectives, market trends, innovation, technology advances, and potential investments.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects for supplier selection/optimization in alignment with Procurement vision and strategies.
• Manage supplier relationships and conduct business reviews, serving as primary contact for performance and risk issues.
• Monitor commodity movements, perform risk assessments, and develop mitigation plans.
• Provide oversight of cost changes and budgeting related to commodity markets.
• Support major supplier issues, identify solutions, and develop contingency and dual‑sourcing plans for business‑critical ingredients.
• Identify sourcing and category project needs across Assurance of Supply, Quality, Service, Cost, and Innovation (AQSCI).
• Develop a multi‑year category vision and strategy based on data, insights, and business requirements.
• Build and maintain strong business relationships to increase influence over total category spend.
• Evaluate potential value‑generating projects considering complexity, resources, risk, implementation time, and financial impact.
• Facilitate supplier collaboration to achieve continuous improvement and innovation.
• Manage a prioritized portfolio of short‑ and long‑term category projects.
• Lead supplier selection, RFP award process, and negotiations in partnership with department leadership.
• Execute sophisticated contracts following Trident’s Procurement policies and processes.
• Stay informed on category dynamics (market, pricing, cost drivers, industry, supplier variables) and communicate changes to business partners.
• Ensure robust application of the strategic sourcing process to all projects.

Benefits

• Discretionary/performance‑based incentives.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Optional HRA/HSA.
• Telemedicine, employee assistance, and wellness programs.
• Disability programs.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Paid time off (initially 20 days per year, front‑loaded, prorated quarterly).
• 10 paid holidays each year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Commuter programs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business field.
• At least 7 years of procurement or supply chain experience with a Bachelor’s degree, OR at least 5 years with a Master’s degree.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Master’s degree or MBA.
• Experience influencing key stakeholders and negotiating sourcing and contracting opportunities.
• Previous manufacturing and/or ingredients experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of direct materials used in consumer products (preferred).
• Proven ability to lead change, adapt quickly, and maintain high performance standards.
• Strong business acumen; able to explain procurement results and variances to non‑procurement audiences.
• Understanding of financial data and cost drivers to maximize growth and minimize supply‑chain cost.
• Skill in building supplier relationships and strategies for short‑ and long‑term objectives.
• Proficiency with SAP, Excel, and regulatory databases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; strong team‑building capabilities.
• Highly motivated, self‑driven, creative, and enthusiastic with strong interpersonal skills.

Work Environment

This on‑site position is based at the Trident Support Center office in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, with the option to work remotely on Fridays. The office environment is temperature‑controlled, well‑lit, and moderately noisy. Remote work requires an appropriate home office space.

Pay

USD $110,000.00 – $140,000.00 per year.