Vice President of Supply Chain-Strategic Sourcing (CAPEX- Equipment, Engineering & Construction services, and Indirect sourcing)

About Plenty

Plenty is on a mission to make fresh, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables more accessible to everyone.  Our cutting-edge indoor, vertical farms produce extraordinary yields using a fraction of the land and water outdoor farms need.  Nutrient-rich, mouth-watering and locally grown, our crops help people, communities and our planet to be healthier and more resilient.

The people and teams who make up Plenty are at the core of how we do this.  We are a collaborative and innovative bunch.  We are passionate about our contributions to Plenty, the communities around us and our planet, but never take ourselves too seriously.  We’re down to Earth, we grow together, and we always find a way.  Most importantly, we’re here to improve the lives of plants, people and our planet.  

About the role

As the Vice President of Supply Chain-Strategic Sourcing (CAPEX- Equipment, Engineering & Construction services, and Indirect sourcing), you will have the chance to make a significant impact on our organization's success by optimizing the pricing, surety of supply, and innovation of our strategic supply chain partners for Plenty Farms built using our proprietary technologies including Lighting, Nursery and Propagation Technologies, Automation & Controls, Environmental Controls,  Harvest and Post-harvest packing, and more. You will be at the forefront of creating and implementing strategic initiatives that will revolutionize our capability to design, deploy and operate our indoor farms domestically and internationally.

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Vice President of Supply Chain-Strategic Sourcing (CAPEX- Equipment, Engineering & Construction services, and Indirect sourcing). As the VP of Supply Chain-Strategic Sourcing you will lead a team responsible for ensuring the supplies and materials are acquired to deploy farms on-time and within budget as well as for executing supply chain strategies that enable our “Farm as a Product” strategy.  You will build long term strategic supply partnerships, while ensuring continuous improvement of economic and product performance from  Plenty’s strategic suppliers of goods and services.  You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the supply chain, including procurement, and vendor relationships. You understand the complex interactions associated with supply chain performance and find the ideal solution within these complex optimizations. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable agriculture and contribute to the growth and expansion of our indoor vertical farming business.

What You'll Do

• Develop and implement a comprehensive supply chain strategy to support our “Farm as a Product” business strategy, working closely with our Senior Leadership Team particularly in Product, Engineering, R&D, Operations and Deployment.
• Build and execute against financial metrics to support the techno-economic performance of Plenty Farms within the Supply Chain function, in particular driving economic order, quantity strategies and cost saving measures.
• Develop strategic partnerships with suppliers critical to the delivery of farm economics, that incentivize them to invest in their own product and technology innovation cycles to support Plenty’s product, research and economic  requirements
• Engage closely with R&D teams in particular Engineering, to ensure quality and delivery milestones are met as Farm technologies are procured to support the Plenty “Plan of Record” for Farm deployment and bring up to Operational status.
• Manage regular reporting on financial metrics and ensure compliance with Plenty policies on supply chain and procurement.
• Oversight and accountability for the vendor selection process, negotiation of contracts, and establishing long-term partnerships with suppliers of all in-farm technologies.
• Monitor market prices of commodity construction materials and minimize the markup Plenty pays for these materials
• Continuously monitor and analyze supply chain performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing process enhancements to drive operational efficiency.
• Implement effective quality control measures and lead risk management efforts related to the supply chain, developing strategies to mitigate disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes related to supply chain management in the agriculture sector.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing supply chain team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Travel up to 15% of the time.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring to the Table

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or a related field. 
• Proven track record (minimum 10 years experience) managing procurement for engineering and construction services, and OEM partnerships, preferably in the agriculture, food production, technology or oil/gas industry.
• Strong knowledge of supply chain principles, including strategic partnerships, economies of scale, and multi-supplier strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing supply chain strategies that improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills, with the ability to build and maintain successful vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and quality control standards in the agriculture industry.
• Passion for sustainable agriculture and a strong commitment to driving positive environmental impact.