Sr. Sourcing Manager

Reporting to the VP, US Procurement, this role will lead strategic sourcing activities of apples in Williamson, NY, as well as operations related to receiving and handling the apples until they enter the transformation process in the factory.

Other Responsibilities:

• Develop Procurement strategy for the category by understanding markets, ensuring long-term supply, optimizing delivered costs, and building positive grower relations. 
• Strategically source apples for Keurig Dr Pepper from ~100 local apple growers. 
• Responsible for grower relations, procurement of raw apples, inspection and quality standards, storage and movement. 
• Leads the handling team, consisting of quality and receiving clerks, forklifts and truck drivers that deliver the apples to the manufacturing facility. 
• Annual spend is ~ $60MM.   

Leadership

• Effectively lead the team to procure fruit for KDP’s Motts Applesauce brand in the most cost-effective and optimized manner, driving high levels of employee engagement
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, mentoring, and evaluation to drive a high-performing team that delivers results and exceeds expectations.
• Lead flexible staffing to meet labor requirements during apple harvest or other peak demand times.

Strategic Sourcing Management

• Develop sourcing strategies to procure apples to support production requirements for our Motts Applesauce Brand
• Ensure long-term supply continuity and grower relations for ~100 apple grower and local packing houses.
• Secure organic supply for the KDP Organic Programs – understand the organic market, growing practices, and certifications needed
• Negotiate and secure storage and freight contracts on an annual basis

• Complete legal contracting & contract administration duties as required
• Prepare the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), manage the apple finance models, and the monthly PPV root cause analysis and resolution

• Own apple budget, which includes the apple cost, and the buying expense related to procuring apples

• Conduct industry deep dive analysis to provide proactive insight to cross-functional teams and leadership.

• Lead and drive “Make vs. Buy” analysis to optimize costs and efficiencies

• Lead regular meetings with cross functional project team for adherence to savings deliverables and timing.

Grower Programs

• Maintain positive grower relations (100+ growers)
• Effectively communicate with growers via meetings, farm visits, and email communications
• Create and manage sustainability programs to ensure we are responsibly sourcing apples and ensuring the success of our apple growers in the community.
• Attend and participate in industry meetings
• Conduct annual crop estimates and farm visits with growers prior to harvest
• Determine and understand costs of production for growers
• Seek ways to improve grower’s yields and lower their costs
• Assist with Cornell Research Partnership

Operations

• Manage the apple receiving teams to ensure a smooth and efficient operation on a year-round basis
• Ensure the safety and manage the productivity of ~30 hourly employees
• Ensure team is providing daily apple order to storage operations for year-round production
• Partner with Operations team to reduce apple waste and increase yield
• Partner with our corporate fleet to ensure forklift and trucks are working properly and are compliant
• Manage relationship with 3^rd Party Inspection site
• Support capital project plans as necessary

Food Safety

• Responsible for inspection of apples, both at harvest as well as apples coming back from storage
• Manage and ensure control of Pesticide and Heavy Metal Management Program
• Partner with Quality team to ensure compliance with Food Safety Programs as it relates to apples