Protein Procurement Manager

What We Stand For and Where You'll Come In

As the Manager, Protein Procurement, you will lead the execution of protein sourcing and supplier management across The Farmer's Dog's supply chain - from intent to purchase through delivery. Working within the strategy and priorities set by the Director, Protein Procurement, you will drive how we build, manage, and grow supplier and first-mile freight partnerships, and lead the identification, negotiation, and onboarding of new partners that deliver quality, reliability, and competitive value at scale.

You'll be a key escalation point for material supply risk, translating complex, cross-functional problems into clear action plans, and helping run the frameworks (KPIs, cost models, contingency plans) that let the broader Planning and Procurement team operate proactively rather than reactively. This role reports to the Director, Protein Procurement, partnering closely with Manufacturing, FSQR, Finance, and Supply Chain leadership.

One Team: We don't think of ourselves as "Acquisition Marketers", "Engineers", "Data Analysts", or "Product Managers". Beyond denoting skill sets and areas of expertise, we don't think departments matter. We'd rather align ourselves to the goals we're working to achieve and make sure we have necessary subject matter expertise to drive meaningful impact. We strive to orient ourselves around customer problems TOGETHER - getting the right people, with the right context, in the right rooms/Zooms to solve problems holistically.

We are skeptical about everything and precious about nothing: Ideas can and should come from anywhere, and we aren't tied to our own. We proactively source input. We talk to our customers and leads regularly and are quick to change course if we know there's a better or more impactful way to solve problems.

We consider the customer journey in all of our decisions: We know that no interaction exists in a silo and therefore understand how important every single one is. We ensure our strategy sets prospective and new customers up for success and drives long-term retention. We answer questions and address problems early and proactively. We understand the value of different channels, initiatives, and messages and know how to articulate impact and advocate for prioritization holistically.

We Execute For Impact: We don't subscribe to "best practices" or "industry KPIs". We're uninterested in how we compare to "benchmarks"; instead we orient ourselves around being the best we can possibly be. Similarly, we don't subscribe to rigid or classical expectations of roles - i.e. acquisition is hyper-focused on improving customer retention and experience.

We Are Focused and Work Without Assumption: We are not beholden to ideas. We have goals and believe everything beyond that is a series of hypotheses to validate. To that end, we seek to work in sequence and not in parallel. We constantly ask ourselves, "what's the most important hypothesis I should be working on right now? How do I confirm or reject that hypothesis as fast as possible?". We rarely have timelines/deadlines and are constantly taking in new information and adjusting our priorities accordingly. We don't expect to be perfect the first time.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Lead execution of the protein raw material procurement strategy across all plants, driving best practices in sourcing, inventory management, and supplier relationship management that the broader team executes against.
• Lead resolution of complex or high-stakes supply issues, driving root cause analyses (RCAs) and continuous improvement programs across Manufacturing, FSQR, and external partners; build the escalation frameworks that prevent recurrence.
• Manage supplier and co-manufacturer relationships day-to-day, including contract negotiation and partnership execution within the pricing and sourcing strategy set by the Director; track and mitigate fees related to material obsolescence.
• Manage the supplier KPI framework; hold suppliers accountable to performance standards and lead corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives company-wide.
• Own the material forecasting process end-to-end, translating market trends and cost drivers into forecasts and narratives that inform Finance, Manufacturing, and executive stakeholders.
• Lead new supplier sourcing and onboarding execution, including vetting, risk assessment, and negotiating commercial terms for new raw material partners within the Director's sourcing strategy.
• Track and report on the procurement budget for protein raw materials, flagging cost risks and performance against targets to the Director.

We're Excited About You Because

• 5+ years of experience in Purchasing, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing, including experience leading cross-functional workstreams or initiatives.
• Proven track record negotiating supplier contracts and managing supplier performance at scale.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to guide cross-functional partners without formal authority.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing KPI frameworks, forecasting models, and cost/budget reporting.
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Results-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.
• Superior problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box in ambiguous situations.
• Deep understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
• USDA, FDA, and Frozen Food experience required.
• Strong computer skills - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Must love dogs!

Office Guidelines

• We are an in-office culture, made of in-office people who thrive on the collaboration and magnetism of working in a shared space.
• We are seeking individuals who excel in this type of environment, where being present fosters deeper connections and engagement.
• We ask all team members to be in office 4 - 5 days a week to build a collaborative and invested environment to foster our unique in-person culture we are proud to have.
• This office policy is subject to change at company discretion.

Our Belonging Philosophy

At TFD, we believe Belonging is a shared commitment to creating a workplace where every person feels respected, valued, and empowered to be themselves. When people feel a true sense of belonging, they do their best work, take smart risks, and bring forward diverse perspectives - leading to stronger decisions and deeper relationships.

• We anchor this belief in a simple phrase: "Everyone's welcome at the dog park."
• No matter your background, identity, or role, there's space for you here.
• There's no one way to show up at the dog park- just shared space, mutual respect, and the freedom to be yourself.
• Being included is just the beginning, it's about contributing your voice, growing through challenges, and building trust through shared goals.
• This philosophy guides how we lead, how we hire, how we communicate, and how we grow.

We continuously evaluate to ensure we are creating a consistent experience that cultivates belonging for all employees, from hiring and performance reviews to talent development. We also believe Belonging happens in everyday moments of connection; lunch with a new teammate, a shared laugh, or a quick story about your weekend. Our structure includes biannual employee surveys, manager training, TFD camps, and support from Humans to ensure we're listening and learning from our Team.

Together, these efforts reflect what Belonging means at TFD: a culture where everyone can thrive.

A Few of Our Best Benefits

• Dog-friendly office in SoHo
• Market-competitive compensation and equity packages
• Comprehensive Healthcare, Dental, and Vision
• Company supported mental health benefits
• 12 week paid parental leave
• Competitive 401k plan with company match
• Flexible PTO
• Discounted fresh food for your pup
• Your pet interrupting video calls (and in-person meetings) is now a feature, not a bug