Role Overview for VP, Global Sourcing with a Food & Beverage Co. – Minneapolis, MN
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, globally recognized Food & Beverage company in their search for a visionary and strategic Vice President of Global Sourcing. Based in the vibrant corporate hub of Minneapolis, MN, this executive leadership role is a cornerstone of the company’s operational and strategic framework. Our client is a market leader renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable practices, with a portfolio of beloved consumer brands that are staples in households worldwide.
As the VP of Global Sourcing, you will be entrusted with the critical responsibility of architecting and executing a world-class global sourcing strategy. This is not merely a procurement function; it is a strategic imperative that directly influences the company’s profitability, product innovation, brand integrity, and long-term resilience. You will lead a talented team of sourcing professionals, overseeing a significant spend across a complex portfolio of raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and indirect services. The ideal candidate is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with a profound understanding of global commodity markets, geopolitical risk, and the nuances of the food and beverage supply chain. You will be the central figure in forging and nurturing strategic supplier partnerships across the globe, ensuring a secure, ethical, and cost-effective supply of materials that meet our client’s exacting standards for quality and safety. This role requires a leader who can navigate volatility, drive continuous improvement, and champion sustainability, ultimately securing a competitive advantage for the business in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Global Sourcing with a Food & Beverage Co. – Minneapolis, MN
The Vice President of Global Sourcing will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, requiring a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and inspirational leadership. Success in this role will be defined by your ability to build a robust, agile, and cost-effective global supply network.
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive global sourcing strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives, growth plans, and financial targets.
- Lead the development of multi-year category strategies for all key direct and indirect spend areas, including agricultural commodities, specialty ingredients, packaging materials, and corporate services.
- Conduct in-depth market intelligence and analysis to identify emerging trends, potential risks, and new opportunities. Leverage data and analytics to make informed sourcing decisions and anticipate market shifts.
- Champion a strategic category management approach across the organization, ensuring that sourcing strategies deliver value beyond cost savings, including innovation, quality improvement, and risk mitigation.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) & Performance
- Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with critical global suppliers, transforming transactional interactions into long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Establish a robust supplier performance management framework, defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality, delivery, cost, innovation, and sustainability.
- Lead executive-level quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with strategic suppliers to drive performance, resolve issues, and explore opportunities for collaborative growth and innovation.
- Develop and execute a supplier segmentation and risk assessment program to ensure supply chain continuity and resilience.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing global sourcing organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and strategic thinking.
- Structure the sourcing team for optimal effectiveness, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and career development paths for all team members.
- Set clear performance objectives and provide regular coaching and feedback to develop the team’s capabilities in negotiation, category management, financial analysis, and strategic sourcing.
- Champion diversity and inclusion within the team and in the company’s supplier base.
Cost Optimization & Financial Acumen
- Drive a robust pipeline of cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, value engineering, and process improvements, delivering significant and sustainable value to the bottom line.
- Develop and manage the annual operating budget for the global sourcing department, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with corporate financial goals.
- Lead complex, high-value negotiations for master supply agreements and contracts, ensuring favorable terms, mitigating risk, and securing long-term value for the company.
- Provide accurate forecasting and reporting on commodity pricing, inflation, and the financial impact of sourcing activities to senior leadership.
Risk Management, Compliance & Sustainability
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks within the global supply chain, including geopolitical instability, currency fluctuations, regulatory changes, and natural disasters.
- Ensure all sourcing activities are conducted in strict compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory (e.g., FDA, USDA), and ethical standards.
- Develop and champion the company’s responsible and sustainable sourcing strategy, partnering with suppliers to improve environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance throughout the value chain.
- Stay current on macroeconomic indicators and industry-specific data, such as the ISM® Report On Business®, to inform risk mitigation strategies.
Requirements for the VP, Global Sourcing with a Food & Beverage Co. – Minneapolis, MN
We are seeking a seasoned executive with a demonstrated history of success in leading global sourcing functions within complex, fast-paced environments. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply chain management, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity overseeing a global team.
Industry Expertise
Deep and direct experience within the Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry is mandatory. A strong understanding of agricultural commodity markets, food ingredients, and packaging is essential.
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Certifications
Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) or an equivalent designation are highly desirable.
Leadership Skills
Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate a large, geographically dispersed team. A track record of building a high-performance culture and developing future leaders.
Strategic & Analytical Acumen
Exceptional strategic thinking and planning abilities, with the capacity to analyze complex data, understand market dynamics, and develop long-range sourcing strategies.
Negotiation & Communication
World-class negotiation skills with a history of successfully leading multi-million dollar contract negotiations. Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels, including the C-suite.
Technical Proficiency
High proficiency with modern ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), e-sourcing tools, and data analytics platforms.
Global Mindset
Must have significant experience working with a global supply base and be comfortable with international travel (as required) to meet with suppliers and internal teams.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term incentive plan (LTI) with equity components.
Health & Wellness
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for you and your eligible dependents. Robust wellness programs and resources.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match to help you prepare for your future.
Time Off
A substantial paid time off (PTO) package, including vacation, sick days, and company holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Relocation
A comprehensive relocation assistance package is available for qualified candidates and their families moving to the Minneapolis area.
Professional Growth
A strong commitment to professional development, including opportunities for executive coaching, continuing education, and participation in industry conferences.
Additional Perks
Employee discounts on company products, life and disability insurance, and other corporate benefits.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm retained for this critical executive search. We invite all qualified and interested candidates to submit their resume and a detailed cover letter outlining their suitability for this role for confidential consideration. Due to the high volume of interest, only those candidates who meet the specified requirements will be contacted.
To learn more about our expertise in recruiting top-tier executives for roles like this, please visit the JRG Partners’ Supply Chain & Operations practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing this exceptional opportunity with you.
