Director - Strategic Sourcing, Packaging, North America

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Procurement Leadership team as Director, Strategic Sourcing, Packaging for North America. This is a high-impact role at a pivotal moment for our business - we are integrating two distinct packaging organizations (CA and US) into a unified NA function, expanding our product portfolio significantly, and building the supply chain infrastructure to support the next phase of HelloFresh's growth. You will own the end-to-end packaging sourcing strategy across North America, leading a team of Strategy Managers accountable for key categories including Corrugated, Liners, Media, Ice, and Ready-to-Eat packaging (trays, lidding film, and other formats). You will partner closely with other Sourcing leaders to build a high-performing, strategically aligned organization and serve as a key member of the Procurement Leadership team. You will lead, coach, and develop a team of Strategy Managers across core packaging categories (Corrugated, Liners, Media, Ice, RTE packaging), fostering a high-performance culture grounded in HelloFresh's DNA. You will drive the integration of the CA and US packaging sourcing teams - aligning ways of working, processes, and tools while respecting the distinct needs of each market. You will build a team culture of urgency, ownership, and continuous improvement; challenge the organization to deliver outsized results. You will develop and execute short and long-term NA packaging sourcing roadmap that supports HelloFresh's growth strategy across brands and product formats - from traditional meal kits to RTE meals, smoothies, and beyond. You will set and oversee the achievement of OKRs on cost, supply chain resilience, innovation, supplier performance, and team development. You will identify and pursue opportunities to platform sourcing globally, leveraging HelloFresh's international scale where beneficial. You will explore and develop innovative supply chain models including insourcing of packaging inputs (e.g. recipe card printing, liner production) where commercially justified.

What you'll do

Establish a clear, data-driven sourcing strategy for all packaging categories in North America, ensuring alignment with HelloFresh's overarching business objectives and growth initiatives. Define category playbooks and supplier rationalization plans to streamline the supplier base while improving value and reducing complexity. Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business requirements into actionable sourcing projects and category strategies. Conduct comprehensive market intelligence gathering to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the packaging landscape. Lead the end-to-end procurement process for strategic packaging categories, including RFP development, supplier evaluation, and negotiation of commercial and technical agreements. Develop and maintain robust total cost of ownership models to evaluate packaging decisions and ensure long-term value creation. Drive supplier performance management frameworks to ensure suppliers meet HelloFresh's standards for quality, delivery, cost, and sustainability. Collaborate closely with Packaging Engineering to validate technical specifications, conduct supplier trials, and ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements. Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks through dual-sourcing strategies, inventory optimization, and contingency planning. Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the packaging sourcing function, leveraging automation and best-in-class methodologies. Build strong relationships with key suppliers to foster innovation, secure capacity, and drive category advantages. Act as a key interface between North America and global procurement teams to identify scalable solutions and best practices. Lead negotiations for multi-million dollar contracts, ensuring alignment with financial targets and risk appetite. Develop and mentor a high-performing team of Strategy Managers, providing coaching, career development, and clear accountability. Represent the NA Packaging Sourcing function in executive-level discussions and cross-functional decision forums.

Requirements

You must possess a bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent practical experience. You bring a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in procurement, supply chain, or sourcing, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing a team. You have a proven track record of managing complex, high-volume sourcing initiatives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. You demonstrate expertise in negotiating and managing multi-million dollar contracts and supplier relationships. You have hands-on experience with packaging categories or a strong ability to quickly master technical product knowledge. You are comfortable operating in a matrixed organization and navigating ambiguity with resilience and adaptability. You possess strong analytical skills and are comfortable using data to drive decision-making and measure outcomes. You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling you to influence at all levels of the organization. You are committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance team environment. You are legally authorized to work in the United States and will require sponsorship or already hold the appropriate work authorization for the location of this role.

Nice to have

Experience in food, grocery, or consumer-packaged goods industries is preferred. Background in meal kit or e-commerce fulfillment packaging is highly relevant. Familiarity with corrugated, liner, and flexible packaging materials and processes. Experience with global sourcing and cross-border trade considerations. Knowledge of sustainability practices and regulations in packaging. Experience with procurement tools, e-procurement systems, and data analytics platforms.

Practical notes

This role is based in New York, NY, United States. The position requires full-time availability during standard business hours. Travel may be required up to 25% of the time within North America for supplier visits, stakeholder meetings, and industry events. This role is eligible for standard HelloFresh benefits in accordance with company policy. The hiring process will include multiple interviews to assess both technical expertise and cultural fit. Candidates must provide proof of work authorization at the appropriate stage of the hiring process.