Overview In this role you will develop and drive procurement strategies for Balchem's direct spend in the U.S. and Europe, ensuring supply continuity and cost optimization. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to build a best-in-class supplier network that supports innovation and growth. You will analyze markets, manage supplier relationships, and lead end-to-end sourcing activities to unlock value. The opportunity combines strategic planning with hands-on execution in a global, growth-focused organization.
Responsibilities- Develop and execute cross-functional procurement strategies with market analysis and supplier capability assessment
- Align stakeholders on sourcing, implementation, and compliance initiatives
- Provide market intelligence to inform business strategy and create a pipeline of value-creation projects
- Lead sourcing events, negotiations, and supplier selection processes
- Manage RFIs/RFPs, contracts, SLAs, and strategic sourcing activities
- Challenge specifications to identify innovative supply solutions and competitive advantages
- Drive project execution, governance, and progress reporting against goals
- Build should-cost models and make-versus-buy analyses to reduce total cost of ownership
- Support process improvements and change management to elevate procurement impact
- Provide regular KPI reporting to senior leadership
- Partner with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve cost, quality, and service
- Identify and qualify new suppliers to broaden options
- Manage strategic supplier relationships and promote supplier innovation
- Resolve supplier performance issues and support scorecards and contract compliance
- Lead cross-functional engagement to influence business, R&D, and supply chain strategies
- Advance continuous improvement and value-creation project pipelines
- Lead supplier and raw material qualification to improve speed, resilience, and efficiency
- Drive contract implementation, compliance, process efficiency, and executive reporting
- Improve cross-functional processes for faster material approvals and onboarding
- Provide hands-on support for supply assurance, savings tracking, and contract performance
- Maintain project documentation and track key metrics
Key requirements- Bachelor degree in supply chain, Finance, Operations, Business Management, Engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of procurement experience
- 3+ years of project management experience
- Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence in a highly matrixed environment and communicate procurement strategy
- Proven track record partnering with senior leadership and cross-functional teams
- Ability to analyze data, model scenarios, and identify value opportunities
- Working knowledge of contracts, sourcing processes, and continuous improvement principles
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; advanced Excel skills preferred
- Willingness to travel 10-30% as needed
- Preferred MBA and/or CPM certification
- Direct category management experience; food ingredients or chemicals industry experience preferred
- communication
- leadership
- negotiation
- market analysis
- vendor management
- RFIs/RFPs
