Role Overview for Chief Procurement Officer with a Major Food Company – Cincinnati, OH
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search on behalf of our client, a globally recognized, multi-billion dollar leader in the food and beverage industry. We are seeking a visionary and transformative Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to join their executive leadership team, based at their corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. This is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of a complex, global supply chain and drive significant value across the enterprise.
The Chief Procurement Officer will be a strategic business partner, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. This individual will be entrusted with the leadership, strategy, and performance of the entire global procurement organization, overseeing a substantial annual spend across direct materials (ingredients, commodities, packaging) and indirect goods and services. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a profound understanding of the food industry’s unique challenges, including commodity market volatility, stringent quality and safety standards, and the increasing importance of sustainability and ethical sourcing.
In this role, you will be responsible for building a world-class procurement function that is not only focused on cost optimization but also serves as a catalyst for innovation, risk mitigation, and sustainable growth. You will lead a large, international team of procurement professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and strategic collaboration. Your leadership will directly impact the company’s bottom line, product quality, and brand reputation. You will be the architect of our client’s global sourcing strategies, forging powerful partnerships with key suppliers and leveraging cutting-edge technology to create a resilient, agile, and competitive supply base. This executive will be a key voice in the C-suite, providing critical insights that influence overall business strategy and long-term planning.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Procurement Officer with a Major Food Company – Cincinnati, OH
Global Procurement Strategy
Develop, champion, and execute a comprehensive global procurement strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives, growth plans, and financial targets. This includes creating multi-year roadmaps for all spend categories, from agricultural commodities to sophisticated packaging solutions and corporate services.
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
Lead the development and implementation of sophisticated category management strategies for all direct and indirect spend. Utilize deep market analysis, should-cost modeling, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles to deliver sustainable value and competitive advantage.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Champion a robust SRM program to cultivate strategic, long-term partnerships with critical suppliers. Drive supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and joint business planning. Foster supplier-led innovation to support new product development and operational efficiency.
Cost Optimization & Value Creation
Deliver significant and sustainable year-over-year cost savings and value improvements. Go beyond traditional price negotiations to identify and execute complex value engineering, demand management, and process improvement initiatives.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global procurement organization. Attract and retain top-tier talent, building a deep bench of future leaders. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning.
Risk Management & Supply Chain Resilience
Design and implement a proactive risk management framework to ensure supply continuity. Identify potential risks (geopolitical, financial, operational, regulatory) within the supply base and develop robust mitigation strategies. Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements.
Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility
Be a champion for the company’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. Develop and execute a sustainable sourcing strategy that promotes ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and environmental stewardship throughout the supply chain.
Technology & Digital Transformation
Drive the procurement function’s digital transformation agenda. Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of procurement technologies (e.g., Source-to-Pay platforms, e-sourcing tools, spend analytics) to enhance efficiency, visibility, and data-driven insights.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a key business partner to leaders in Operations, R&D, Finance, Marketing, and Sales. Ensure procurement strategies are fully integrated with new product launches, manufacturing plans, and financial forecasting.
Financial Planning & Budgeting
Oversee the procurement department’s budget and contribute to the company’s overall financial planning process. Provide accurate forecasting for commodity pricing, inflation, and savings initiatives.
Requirements for the Chief Procurement Officer with a Major Food Company – Cincinnati, OH
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in procurement and supply chain management, with at least 5-7 years in a senior executive role (VP, SVP, or CPO) leading a global organization.
Industry Expertise
Deep and extensive experience within the food & beverage, CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods), or a related industry is mandatory. Must have a strong understanding of agricultural commodity markets, food ingredients, and packaging materials sourcing.
Educational Background
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.
Proven Leadership
Demonstrated success in leading large, geographically dispersed teams. A track record of developing talent, building a positive organizational culture, and driving transformative change.
Strategic & Analytical Acumen
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to analyze complex data, understand market dynamics, and translate insights into actionable strategies. Strong financial acumen is essential.
Negotiation Skills
World-class negotiation and influencing skills, with a proven history of successfully negotiating multi-million dollar, complex global contracts with critical suppliers.
Technical Proficiency
Strong familiarity with modern procurement technologies and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle). Experience leading a digital transformation within a procurement function is highly desirable.
Global Mindset
Extensive experience working in a global environment, with a nuanced understanding of international trade, logistics, and cultural business practices.
Certifications
Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or similar are a plus.
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:
- Highly Competitive Base Salary
- Annual Performance-Based Bonus Program
- Long-Term Incentive Program (Equity/Stock Options)
- Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Generous Company Match
- Executive Financial Planning Services
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
- Full Relocation Package for the successful candidate and their family
- Company-sponsored wellness programs and executive health screenings
- Opportunities for professional development and executive coaching
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been retained as the exclusive search firm for this critical executive appointment. All applications and inquiries will be handled with the strictest confidence. If you are a visionary procurement leader with the experience and passion to drive transformative change within a global food industry leader, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications. For more information about our expertise in this area, please visit our Supply Chain & Logistics Executive Search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application.
