About the Role:Kinder's is aggressively expanding into protein, including meat snacks and frozen products, and we're looking for a sourcing leader who knows this space and is excited to help build it. The Director, Sourcing (Protein) will own and scale our sourcing capabilities across protein and core ingredients-building the supplier network, navigating market volatility, and enabling rapid product innovation. This is not a maintenance role. You'll be stepping into a business that is scaling quickly, where structure is still being built and priorities evolve fast. This role is ideal for someone who brings deep subject matter expertise in protein sourcing and wants to take a hands-on role in shaping how sourcing operates at a growing, entrepreneurial company.
Key Responsibilities Include:Build & Scale Protein Sourcing- Own sourcing strategy across protein categories (beef, pork, chicken) and key ingredients
- Build and evolve sourcing capabilities to support rapid expansion into meat snacks, frozen, and new product formats
- Partner closely with R&D and Commercialization to bring new products to market quickly and efficiently
Own the Supplier Network- Build and manage direct relationships with processors, suppliers, and producers
- Make calls on supplier selection, diversification, and when to go direct vs. leverage co-man sourcing
- Establish a resilient supply base that can scale with the business and handle volatility
Navigate Complexity & Market Volatility- Operate confidently in protein markets-managing pricing swings, availability constraints, yields, and specs
- Stay close to the market and make informed, real-time decisions to protect supply and margin
- Use data and tools (Mintec, Urner Barry, commodity indices) but also bring strong judgment and instincts
Drive Cost, Value & Commercial Outcomes- Lead negotiations and structure agreements that balance cost, flexibility, and long-term partnership
- Identify and execute on cost savings, efficiency gains, and value creation opportunities
- Understand and influence total cost (not just price), including yield, specs, and operational impact
Ensure Quality & Execution- Partner with Quality and Operations to ensure all inputs meet food safety, regulatory, and product standards
- Align specifications across suppliers and co-manufacturers
- Anticipate and mitigate supply, quality, and cold-chain risks-especially for frozen and perishable products
Be a Cross-Functional Operator- Work closely with Co-Manufacturing, Supply Planning, Demand Planning, and Operations to ensure sourcing aligns with production realities
- Act as the connective tissue between suppliers and internal teams to keep things moving
- Step into gaps, solve problems, and keep projects advancing without waiting for perfect structure
What You Bring To The Table:- Deep expertise in protein sourcing-you understand the realities of this space and have operated in it directly
- Builder mindset-you're comfortable creating structure, not just operating within it
- Strong ownership mentality-you take accountability and move things forward
Education / Experience- 7+ years of experience in sourcing within food/CPG, with significant hands-on experience in protein
- Direct experience working with processors, producers, and/or sourcing at origin
- Strong understanding of protein markets: pricing mechanisms, yields, specifications, and supply constraints
- Experience supporting commercialization and scaling products, ideally across meat snacks and/or frozen
Business and Operational Acumen- Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain, including co-manufacturing and cold chain
- Ability to connect sourcing decisions to downstream operational and financial impact
- Track record of delivering results in fast-moving, less structured environments
Ways of Working- Highly collaborative, but not dependent on perfect alignment to move forward
- Clear communicator who can work across functions and with external partners
- Grounded, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented
Additional Requirements- Ability to travel up to 30% as needed
What Success Looks Like- You've built a sourcing network that can support aggressive growth across protein and frozen categories
- You're ahead of market shifts and proactively managing risk, not reacting to it
- Suppliers view Kinder's as a strong, credible partner
- New products launch smoothly because sourcing is aligned early and effectively
- The business trusts your judgment and relies on you to navigate complexity
Location and Travel:The position will be based onsite in Walnut Creek, CA. We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the office on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumer and to have more fun. Fridays are flex days with employees having the opportunity to choose to be either in the office or to work from home based on what makes most sense for them.
Travel will be required up to 30% as needed.Pay Transparency:The expected starting salary range for this role is $215,000- $240,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.
SEASONED FOR SUCCESS:- No two days here are the same.
- We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don't live by hierarchy and structure - everyone is a difference maker here.
- We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information - our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
- We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
- We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
- We aren't trying to be average - we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
BENEFITS THAT BRING MORE TO THE TABLE:We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder's benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.
OUR RECIPE FOR BALANCE:We believe great culture starts with people. We're a people-first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.
