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Thorne is a health and wellness company with 750+ team members delivering science-backed solutions to empower individuals to take a proactive approach to their well-being.
The Senior Manager, Specialty Raw Materials is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for Thorne's specialty raw material portfolio, ensuring reliable supply, strong supplier performance, competitive cost, and alignment with Thorne's quality and customer expectations. This role manages strategic supplier relationships and sourcing activities across assigned raw material categories, including supplier evaluation and selection, commercial negotiations, purchasing, supplier performance monitoring, cost-reduction initiatives, supply continuity, and issue resolution.
Key responsibilities include:
**Strategic Sourcing & Procurement:** Develop and execute sourcing strategies for specialty raw material categories, identifying strategic partnerships aligned with business needs and quality requirements. Manage sourcing and procurement activities from supplier evaluation through purchasing and ongoing management. Evaluate supplier capabilities, quotes, pricing, services, and lead times. Prepare and process purchase orders in accordance with established procurement processes. Identify and execute opportunities to improve sourcing effectiveness, supply reliability, and overall value. Drive cost-reduction initiatives while balancing quality, service, and supply continuity. Maintain knowledge of raw material markets, supplier capabilities, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
**Supplier Relationship & Performance Management:** Serve as primary relationship owner for suppliers within assigned specialty raw material categories. Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with strategic suppliers. Monitor and evaluate supplier performance across delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness. Use performance information to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities. Partner with suppliers to address performance concerns and drive corrective actions. Maintain regular communication regarding material requirements, availability, delivery, and business needs. Partner with Quality Assurance on procurement-related supplier audits as needed.
**Supply Continuity & Issue Resolution:** Proactively identify potential raw material supply risks and work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to minimize disruption to manufacturing operations. Expedite material shipments when required. Resolve issues arising from purchases with internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate return-to-vendor processes and prepare required documentation. Evaluate supplier and material issues and drive them through to appropriate resolution with minimal oversight. Communicate material availability, supplier performance, and supply risks to appropriate stakeholders. Escalate significant risks promptly and recommend appropriate solutions.
**Cross-Functional Partnership & Compliance:** Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Planning, Finance, R&D, and other teams to support raw material requirements and sourcing objectives. Ensure sourcing and purchasing activities support efficient manufacturing operations and established quality expectations. Operate in accordance with applicable current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and established procurement procedures. Communicate sourcing recommendations, supplier performance, risks, and opportunities clearly to internal stakeholders. Review, analyze, and interpret procurement, supplier, material, and business reports to support effective decision-making. Maintain accurate and appropriate sourcing, supplier, and purchasing documentation.
**Strategic Leadership & Continuous Improvement:** Translate business and customer requirements into actionable specialty raw material sourcing strategies. Identify opportunities to strengthen Thorne's supplier network and develop strategic supplier partnerships. Lead sourcing and procurement initiatives from identification through successful implementation with limited direction and oversight. Apply strong analytical and decision-making skills to evaluate sourcing alternatives, supplier performance, costs, and business risks. Build alignment across internal stakeholders and external suppliers to achieve sourcing and business objectives. Support cross-functional initiatives requiring specialty raw material and procurement expertise. Promote continuous improvement across sourcing strategies, supplier relationships, procurement processes, and cost management.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree required
- 4–8 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, purchasing, or a related discipline
- Experience within a manufacturing or consumer packaged goods (CPG) environment preferred
- Strong experience sourcing and managing raw material categories within the dietary supplement industry preferred
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier relationships and supplier performance
- Experience evaluating supplier quotes, commercial considerations, and sourcing alternatives
- Experience supporting cost-reduction or cost-optimization initiatives
- Procurement experience within a Material Requirements Planning (MRP) environment
- APICS, ISM, or related procurement/supply chain certification preferred
- Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, procurement, purchasing, and supplier management principles and practices
- Understanding of raw material sourcing and the role procurement plays in supporting manufacturing operations
- Knowledge of supplier evaluation and performance management, including delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness
- Experience working within MRP-based procurement environments
- Understanding of purchase orders, material requirements, supplier lead times, shipment expediting, and return-to-vendor processes
- Working knowledge of cost analysis and cost-reduction methodologies
- Ability to analyze and interpret supplier, procurement, cost, and operational reports
- Working knowledge of cGMP requirements as they relate to procurement and supplier management within regulated manufacturing
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Experience with ERP systems preferred
- Ability to use procurement and business data to evaluate options, identify risks, and support sourcing decisions
