Job Summary

The Director of Procurement is responsible for overseeing all purchasing policies, objectives, and initiatives in North America. This includes the overall contracting lifecycle, strategic category and vendor management programs, and the purchasing process from spend approval through payment. Ensures a collaborative and cooperative working relationship within departments to achieve business goals and objectives, as well as uniformity across all assigned facilities.

This is a hybrid role requiring ~3 days a week on-site at Verano HQ (224 W. Hill St, Chicago IL 60610).

Verano requires all applicants to have permanent United States work authorization (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Own comprehensive responsibility for all supplier relationships and supply chain contract negotiations for multi-state cannabis cultivation and production facilities.
• Conduct the RFP process, bid analysis and review, contract negotiations, and blanket purchase agreement creation.
• Provide a competitive advantage in the areas of materials, supplies, and services.
• Understand, track, and forecast the key cost drivers and market factors for assigned commodities.
• Manage material flow to ensure inventory is maintained to the optimum level to support on time deliveries while keeping inventory holdings at the appropriate levels.
• Create and maintain mutually beneficial long-term partnerships with suppliers to foster feedback and continuous improvement.
• Maintain on-going process to evaluate key suppliers with documented “scorecards” to ensure the best pricing, quality, and delivery options, including a list of qualified backup suppliers when needed.
• Analyze AR/AP history, supplier continuity, risk management, and changing market dynamics to control material costs and ensure a reliable source of supply.
• Partner with suppliers to drive Continuous Improvement through shared savings and quality improvement initiatives at each plant location.
• Lead, train, and motivate direct reports to ensure peak performance, while mentoring for career advancement.
• Establish and utilize KPIs to monitor, adjust, reward, and optimize regional performance. 
• Partner with Human Resources to effectively manage the regional workforce.
• Utilize ERP and QMS to ensure consistent products and high-quality control.
• Creates an environment and culture that focuses on fulfilling the company’s mission, vision, and values.
• Operate as an inclusive leader; engage all staff in a manner that supports company strategy and retention. 
• Establish credibility throughout the organization as an effective collaborative developer of solutions to business challenges.
• Updates job knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations, participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Travel to plant locations and/or supplier facilities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years’ experience working in a warehouse or manufacturing facility within a purchasing capacity.
• 5+ years’ experience as a people leader, leading a team or purchasing specialists.
• Experience with SAP Ariba and SAP S/4HANA required.
• Ability to priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organization and project management skills.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.