Job Description

About Sara Lee Frozen Bakery

Sara Lee desserts have always stood for incredible flavor and superior value in the frozen food aisle and away from home markets.  The Sara Lee Frozen Bakery collection of top brands includes Sara Lee®, Chef Pierre®, Van’s®, Bistro Collection®, Superior on Main® and Cyrus O’Leary’s®.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is proud to take these iconic brands into a new era and to continue the evolution that transformed one small Chicago bakery into an American institution. Using carefully sourced ingredients and time-honored recipes, the company is committed to making life’s moments a little sweeter, putting its customers first and discovering new ways to make everyone’s favorite foods even better.

Working for Sara Lee

Our vision is to be the world’s most beloved bakery by creating irresistible foods, growing with our customers, and delivering value for all.  We will achieve success through collaboration and innovation in an environment where employees feel empowered to execute with speed. We believe that each of us has unique points of difference and experience to offer. We believe that there is always a better way, and we will never be satisfied with status quo. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, continually seek process improvements and a strong sense of customer service, then this is the right type of environment for you.  

Summary:

Manager-level position reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Procurement, with ownership over category management and procurement initiatives. This role does not include direct reports but requires leadership in mentoring, cross-functional collaboration, and supplier management.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive procurement strategies that align with corporate objectives, driving efficiency, cost reduction, and supply continuity.
• Manage key supplier relationships, negotiating advantageous terms, ensuring high ingredient quality, and fostering growth across multiple business units.
• Lead contract negotiations and proactively address market challenges to deliver cost savings while upholding stringent quality and compliance standards.
• Oversee multiple procurement projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, ensuring timely execution and effective stakeholder communication.
• Drive procurement initiatives in collaboration with internal teams and external partners to optimize spend and improve supplier performance.
• Lead initiatives for sustainable ingredient sourcing, monitoring and adapting to emerging sustainability laws, regulations, and industry developments.
• Stay ahead of commodity market trends, leveraging insights to refine procurement strategies and mitigate risk.

Required Experience & Skills

• Undergraduate degree in business or related field required.  
• A minimum of 5 years of procurement experience, ideally within ingredient markets or a closely related industry.
• Proven expertise in contract negotiation, supplier management, and cost optimization.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Adaptability and resilience in a rapidly evolving business environment.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
• Results-oriented with the ability to make strategic decisions and adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work in a high paced, ever-changing environment.

  
  

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.