Director of Procurement

Join Bioriginal, a global leader in nutritional innovation with over 30 years of expertise and recent expansion through multiple acquisitions within the last two years. We blend scientifically sourced ingredients to create unique solutions, driving trends in the Food and Nutraceutical sectors since 1993.

Headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, with facilities across the USA, Europe, and Asia, Bioriginal offers customized solutions that empower our clients to succeed in a competitive market. We're committed to nurturing talent and providing growth opportunities in a dynamic environment where innovation shapes the future of nutritional health.

Position Summary:

The Director of Procurement is a strategic leader responsible for driving global procurement excellence, aligning procurement operations with business objectives, and optimizing supply chain performance across the organization. This role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to ensure sourcing strategies align with demand forecasts, maintain optimal inventory levels, and support uninterrupted business operations. While Purchasers manage day-to-day supplier interactions, the Director provides strategic oversight of key vendor relationships, leads high-level negotiations, and mentors the procurement team to drive performance, compliance, and measurable results.

Responsibilities & Expectations:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute global procurement strategies that align with corporate objectives, support demand planning accuracy, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing procurement team, with direct oversight of Purchasers and Procurement Specialists.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and cross-functional alignment.
• Partner closely with the demand planning and supply chain teams to ensure procurement strategies are demand-driven and inventory-optimized.
• Define, implement, and track departmental KPIs; hold team members accountable for performance and continuous improvement.
• Manage procurement and inventory budgets with a focus on cost control, working capital optimization, and risk mitigation.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to contracts, supply continuity, and market volatility.
• Provide strategic leadership on major procurement initiatives and represent procurement in executive-level discussions.
• Work with the VP of Operations and CEO on annualized purchases to support long-term operational planning.
• Collaborate with the CEO on annualized crop plans to ensure supply availability and alignment with business forecasts.
• Work with the CEO on contracts and hedges to strategically manage market exposure and pricing stability.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee procurement activities to ensure quality, lead times, inventory levels, and cost objectives are met or exceeded.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements across global procurement operations.
• Oversee seed contract management and coordination of seed inventory from storage through operations, ensuring operational readiness.
• Implement and manage minimum/maximum inventory levels to achieve overall inventory turns greater than 5.
• Work with Quality and Manufacturing teams to assess and approve proposed new vendors and components.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Provide strategic oversight of supplier relationships, with direct involvement in key vendor partnerships and high-value contracts.
• Oversee and participate in major supplier negotiations to secure optimal pricing, terms, and long-term value.
• Guide and support Purchasers in supplier selection, negotiation strategy, and performance evaluation.
• Lead contract lifecycle management, including negotiation, execution, performance monitoring, and renewal/termination decisions.
• Evaluate supplier risk and performance metrics, ensuring quality, compliance, and on-time delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including operations, sales, finance, and R&D, to align procurement plans with business needs.
• Work closely with demand planning to translate forecasts into actionable procurement plans that support service levels and minimize excess inventory.
• Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes to enhance responsiveness, reduce waste, and drive sustainable value across the supply chain.
• Act as a key liaison between procurement and the executive leadership team, ensuring visibility of procurement impact on overall business performance

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or related field. Previous education related to contract management is preferred. Master's degree is an asset.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in supply chain, procurement and contract management, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, contract law and supply chain management principles.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends and make strategic decisions.
• Certification within procurement or supply chain management is an asset.

What Do We Offer?

• Comprehensive Pension Plan
• Extended Health & Wellness Coverage
• Company Paid Time Off
• Leadership Development & Career Advancement
• Flexible Work Arrangements Supporting Work–Life Balance
• Free On-Site Parking