Associate Direct Materials Manager

Job Description

Position Summary

The Associate Manager, Direct Materials supports the strategic sourcing and management of primary packaging and other direct material categories, including but not limited to glass, cans, closures, wirehoods, and luxury packaging. In this role, the Associate Manager, Direct Materials collaborates with suppliers and cross-functional partners to advance sourcing and sustainability initiatives, negotiate and manage contracts, mitigate supply and packaging risks, and deliver measurable improvements in cost, quality, service, innovation, and supply continuity. The successful candidate will apply strong project management, analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills to manage competing priorities, respond quickly to evolving business needs, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.

Responsibilities

• Own category strategy and execution for assigned direct materials, including but not limited to capsules, screwcaps, wirehoods, and luxury boxes, while supporting sourcing strategies for glass and cans.
• Develop and implement sourcing plans that improve cost, quality, service, supply continuity, innovation, and overall value across direct procurement categories.
• Own and advance assigned sustainability initiatives in partnership with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders, supporting broader company sustainability objectives
• Lead competitive sourcing activities, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and the drafting and execution of supply agreements.
• Proactively manage supplier contracts through renegotiation, extension, renewal, and performance-review cycles.
• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships and collaborate with internal partners across Brand, Buying Operations, Category Management, Graphics, Packaging Technology, Planning, Finance, and Operations.
• Identify procurement and packaging risks, recommend solutions, and coordinate cross-functional action to support new product development and ongoing business needs.
• Execute tactical and strategic initiatives that deliver sustainable savings, cost avoidance, risk reduction, and other measurable sources of value.
• Track category performance, market conditions, project milestones, risks, and savings, and communicate clear updates and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure compliance with procurement and finance policies, the company code of conduct, contractual requirements, and applicable external regulations.
• Support continuous improvement and manage special projects or business priorities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience; MBA preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or formal training in project management beneficial 
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in strategic sourcing, direct materials procurement, procurement consulting, supply chain, or a related discipline. Consumer packaged goods experience is preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, and competitive bidding processes, including RFI, RFP, and RFQ activities.
• Strong supplier negotiation, contract drafting, contract management, and commercial decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated project management, problem-solving, analytical, and organizational capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and perform effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships at all organizational levels.
• Experience supporting new product development, packaging commercialization, or related innovation initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with e-procurement, project management, and data-analysis tools.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to use data to develop recommendations and make decisions.
• Fluent in English (bi-lingual Spanish, preferred)

Minimum Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods. Lifting may be required. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods. Lifting may be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Travel 10%

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Additional Locations

Rochester, New York, Virtual - US

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Supply Chain

The salary range for this role is:

$69,600.00 - $146,000.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the prevailing minimum wage for the location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.  At Constellation Brands, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).