Darigold is seeking a highly skilled Procurement Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for key spend categories including Information Technology (IT), Warehousing, Corporate Services and Utilities. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that deliver value, optimize cost and support business growth. The ideal candidate will bring deep category expertise, strong negotiation capabilities and the ability to collaborate across departments.
Darigold is the fifth largest dairy cooperative in the United States based on milk volume and one of the largest privately held organizations headquartered in the state of Washington. Since 1918, our producers have taken pride in producing dairy products with unsurpassed quality. Today, we are one of the nation’s largest agricultural cooperatives, producing over 8.5 billion pounds of milk every year.
Through innovative technology and our efficient, flexible production capabilities, we deliver value-added products and customer-driven solutions. Darigold is now known throughout the world for bringing fresh, wholesome dairy products and ingredients from the Northwest to people all around the globe.

Category Strategy & Sourcing-

• Develop and implement category strategies for IT (software, hardware, services), warehousing (logistics services, storage solutions), corporate services (travel, consultants) and energy (manufacturing site utilities).
• Lead RFP/RFQ processes and contract negotiations to achieve cost savings and strategic supplier relationships.
• Conduct market research and supplier benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities and innovation.

Supplier Relationship Management-

• Identify, qualify and manage supplier performance for each category.
• Lead quarterly business reviews and implement performance improvement plans where necessary.
• Ensure suppliers meet contractual obligations, SLAs and quality standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration-

• Partner with IT, Operations and Warehousing teams to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and ensure transparency throughout the sourcing lifecycle.

Cost Optimization & Risk Management-

• Analyze category spend and deliver measurable cost savings without compromising service or quality.
• Proactively manage supply risks including availability, lead time variability and supplier insolvency.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans for critical supply scenarios.

Contract & Compliance Management-

• Draft, review and manage supplier contracts in partnership with Legal ensuring compliance with internal policies, industry regulations and cybersecurity standards.

• Support internal audits and maintain accurate procurement documentation.

  What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Procurement, Finance or a related field (MBA preferred).

• 5–7+ years of experience in strategic procurement or category management with specific experience in IT, warehousing, corporate services and energy categories.
• Solid understanding of contract law, commercial terms and sourcing methodologies.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g. Oracle) and e-sourcing tools.
• Knowledge of IT procurement (cloud services, software licensing, infrastructure).
• Experience with warehousing contracts and manufacturing supply chains.
• Knowledge of utility billing and infrastructure across manufacturing sites.
• Relevant certifications (CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent) preferred.
• Strong strategic sourcing and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated deep category knowledge (IT, supply chain, energy, corporate services).
• Analytical mindset with attention to cost drivers.
• Strong risk assessment and mitigation planning skills.
• Stakeholder influence and excellent communication skills.
• Continuous improvement and value creation.