Strategic Procurement Manager
Chicago, IL
Operations /
Full-time /
Hybrid
We’re Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we’ve amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We’ve raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.
Procurement is a fundamental component of Tovala’s business model. Buyers are responsible for ensuring that we receive all raw ingredients and packaging in a timely manner so that production runs smoothly each week. This individual will work directly within the Purchasing & Procurement team, and cross functionally with Production, FSQA, Culinary, and Menu teams to coordinate on time and in full deliveries, while also managing and executing highly detailed sourcing projects.
How you will spend your time at Tovala
- Initiate and deliver short and long term sourcing strategies, with a focus on fresh produce, proteins and core food ingredients as well as packaging.
- Develop and implement procurement projects to deliver added value, new ingredient and packaging opportunities, cost savings and quality improvements.
- Review demand requirements to manage short and long term purchasing needs, working with the Inventory and Menu teams to avoid wastage and identify opportunities for process improvements.
- Provide forecasts to vendors to stay ahead of any potential shortages and service or quality volatility within the supply chain.
- Identify challenges and provide solutions to mitigate interruptions in product acquisition.
- Work with the Director of Procurement to secure secondary or even tertiary suppliers for high risk, essential ingredients and packaging items.
- Communicate shortages or delays in product arrival that would affect the production schedule. Strategize the recovery plan to expedite or fill-in elsewhere.
- Execute and maintain a vendor performance rating system - monitor and evaluate vendor performance using key attributes (on-time/complete delivery, adherence to specifications, etc).
- Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, working with the Procurement Director to identify and develop processes for efficiency and value improvements.
About you
- You thrive in a fast-paced environment, and can prioritize business needs while managing multiple supply chains and priorities. You have strong project management experience, leading the initiation and execution of high value sourcing projects, with a sense of urgency and attention to detail.
- You enjoy working within a high functioning team, as well as cross functionally within the organization.
- You have the ability to manage multiple vendors through different channels.
- You have strong negotiation skills and have a proven history of balancing stakeholder interests and expectations while holding vendors accountable and driving value across the supply chain.
- You have the ability to think and act critically about processes and supply chain systems with a focus on continuous improvement in value, innovation and cost savings, while staying ahead of market trends.
- You have strong problem solving and planning skills, and display the ability to think proactively and strategically to provide solutions in advance of challenges.
- You have strong verbal and written communication skills.
Requirements
- 5+ years in a procurement role, experience in fresh food delivery preferred.
- Proven experience in the procurement and project management functions, with success in driving value through cost savings, process and quality improvements, and product diversification.
- Experience in the protein or packaging industry is favorable.
- Ability to use MSOffice, Google Suites (Drive, Sheets, Docs, etc.) to follow and create efficient and transparent electronic tools for demand planning on materials and packaging.
Compensation and Benefits
- Tovala uses market data, geography, and placement of internal employees to determine salary. Additionally, we offer all employees real ownership in the company in the form of a competitive equity package.
- Unlimited paid time off (with a minimum of 15 days off you HAVE to take) (change if hourly or production)
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in401k with match
- Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals Paid holidays and our winter holiday office shutdown where the offices and facilities close for a week around Christmas and New Years
- Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, in-office coffee, snacks and drinks, and Tovala swag
The values we hold dear
Put the team first
We put what is best for the broader team ahead of what is best for ourselves or our immediate department.
Get s#!t done (well)
We celebrate people at all levels for delivering high impact work that expands the bounds of what we’re able to do.
Connect the dots
We engage with curiosity to learn how our work impacts others so that we can problem-solve holistically and work collaboratively.
Be Direct
We share our perspective openly and directly, even when it feels difficult to do so.
Embrace the obstacles
We rise to meet challenges with a sense of urgency, resolve, and optimism.
Champion the customer
We consider and prioritize our customer in all of our decisions
At Tovala we‘re committed to building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here!
