Smithfield Foods

Director, Strategic Sourcing

Smithfield Foods$140K — $182K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business, food science, engineering or related field; 10+ years of experience in a multi-facility organization.
  • 5+ years of leadership experience with team management and development.
  • Experience in strategic sourcing methodologies like lean concepts and value stream management.
  • Proven track record in contract negotiation and management.
  • Strong technical skills in Microsoft Office; familiarity with procurement tools like Workday is a plus.
  • Excellent project management and analytical skills with a collaborative approach.
  • Ability to understand production and materials requirement planning (MRP).

Responsibilities

  • Lead procurement initiatives including vendor selection and contract negotiation.
  • Drive negotiations to secure favorable terms for high-value agreements.
  • Implement cost reduction strategies across direct material categories.
  • Manage supply risks while ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
  • Enhance supplier performance through continuous improvement efforts.
  • Collaborate with business leaders to identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Optimize supply chain costs while maintaining quality and continuity.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive total rewards package including health, wellness, and financial benefits.
  • Relocation package available for eligible candidates.
Full Job Description
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.

THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

As the Director, Strategic Sourcing, you will lead enterprise-wide sourcing strategies for high-impact direct materials. You will manage approximately $1 billion in spend across 300+ vendors, guiding supplier selection, contract negotiations, and relationship development. You'll oversee a team of direct and indirect reports, driving cost efficiencies, supply assurance, and quality through strategic partnerships and cross-functional collaboration. Your leadership will ensure procurement strategies are fully integrated with company goals while continuously improving cost management, sourcing processes, and vendor performance.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
  • Lead Strategic Procurement Initiatives: Develop and oversee procurement programs including purchasing, contract negotiation, vendor selection, and RFP processes with structured evaluation frameworks.
  • Drive High-Stakes Negotiations: Apply expert negotiation strategies to secure favorable outcomes, maximize leverage, and manage complex, high-value agreements.
  • Execute Cost Reduction Strategies: Establish and manage overall cost reduction goals and drive the execution of initiatives across direct material categories.
  • Rick Management: Actively manage supply risks while ensuring procurement and regulatory policy compliance.
  • Enhance Supplier Performance: Lead continuous improvement efforts in vendor service levels, adoption of new technologies, and overall alignment with business goals.
  • Strengthen Cross-Functional Partnerships: Collaborate with key business leaders to understand needs, uncover cost-saving opportunities, and leverage purchasing power across the enterprise.
  • Optimize Supply Chain Costs: Partner with production schedulers, plant teams, and purchasing leads to reduce costs while maintaining supply continuity and material quality.
  • Standardize Vendor Relationships: Review and optimize purchasing arrangements to consolidate SKUs and improve cost and service performance with the vendor community.
  • Leadership: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.


WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
  • Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business, food science, packaging, agri-business, economics, engineering, supply chain or related discipline and 10+ years' relevant experience in a multiple facility organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
  • Leadership Experience: 5+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development is required.
  • Strategic Sourcing Expertise: Progressive experience utilizing strategic sourcing methodology and techniques such as value stream management, lean concepts, and contractual alternatives.
  • Contract Management: Proven ability in contract reading, writing, negotiation, and execution with a track record of delivering results.
  • Technical Proficiency: Strong PC skills with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); knowledge of Workday or other procurement tools is a plus.
  • Project Management & Analysis: Strong project management skills to support cross-functional initiatives. Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Communication & Collaboration: High-level written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
  • Business & Supply Chain Acumen: Ability to navigate complex, unstructured problems. Must understand production planning and materials requirement planning (MRP).
  • Work Environment & Travel: Must be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Up to 25% travel to manufacturing plants and vendor locations required.
  • Cultural Fit: Demonstrated ability to be respectful, approachable, and supportive while fostering strong relationships and a positive work environment.


OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
  • SAP experience is strongly preferred.


The expected pay range for this position is $140,000 - $182,500 annually.
Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate's qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.
Relocation Package AvailableYes

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a meat processing company that produces and markets a variety of fresh and packaged meats. The company was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia. Smithfield Foods operates in the United States and internationally, and its products are sold under a number of well-known brands. The company is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. Smithfield Foods is a subsidiary of WH Group, a Chinese meat processing company.
Learn more about Smithfield Foods
Size
54,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1936

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