Strategic Sourcing Specialist- Poultry

Who We Are

Conexus Food is a leader in the Asian food service industry, bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai, to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago is where we house our fully integrated food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US, over 2 million square feet of warehousing space, and a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks, we're the go-to when it comes to reliable delivery services.

At Conexus Food , we believe that teamwork and collaboration are the keys to success. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honesty in everything we do and building strong relationships with our clients. We're looking for individuals who share our values and are committed to excellence. Join our team and contribute to our culture of collaboration and integrity while growing your own skills and expertise. Together, we'll deliver high-quality products and exceptional service to our clients and achieve great things.

Role Summary:

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Poultry to support our Corporate Category Manager in sourcing, managing, and analyzing key poultry categories such as chicken wings, leg quarters, boneless breast, leg meat etc. This role requires high market sensitivity, strategic thinking, and a strong ability to interpret price trends, manage supplier relationships, and ensure supply continuity amid market volatility. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of protein sourcing, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for poultry categories with a focus on cost competitiveness, supply stability, and long-term value.
• Monitor poultry market trends, price indexes (e.g., USDA, Urner Barry), daily supply/demand dynamics, and geopolitical factors to guide purchasing decisions.
•   Manage purchase orders, pricing, and fulfillment for both headquarter and internal DCs demands.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure consistent quality, volume, and pricing advantages.
• Analyze historical data and market indicators to forecast trends and proactively adjust sourcing strategies.
• Work closely with the planning team to ensure timely deliveries and accurate inventory levels.
• Negotiate commitment order and pricing structures with suppliers to achieve cost savings while maintaining product specifications.
• Collaborate with DC, operations, QA, logistics, sales, and finance to ensure cross-functional alignment on purchasing goals and execution.
• Track key performance indicators such as cost savings, vendor performance, fill rates, and price variance.
• Support issue resolution regarding supply shortages, quality concerns, or delivery delays.
• Maintain up-to-date records including orders list, supplier scorecards, product specs, and procurement documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• 1+ years of experience in poultry procurement, protein sourcing, or commodity buying
• Knowledge of protein market trends, pricing benchmarks, and sourcing dynamics prefered
• Familiarity with USDA market reports, Urner Barry pricing, and protein trading practices
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills; proficiency in Excel and ERP systems
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing cost strategies
• Effective communication skills and ability to build long-term supplier partnerships
• Able to work in a dynamic, evolving environment and manage multiple sourcing projects
• Occasional travel required to visit suppliers

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in wholesale, foodservice distribution, or protein trading
• Familiarity with freight and cold chain logistics
• Bilingual in Chinese preferred

Salary Range: $40,000 - $65,000

Benefits Offered:

• Medical Insurance – Comprehensive coverage to help you and your family stay healthy.
• Dental Insurance – Preventive care and treatments to keep your smile bright.
• Vision Insurance – Coverage for eye exams, glasses, and contacts.
• Pet Insurance – Help ensure your furry friends are covered for unexpected medical expenses.
• Life Insurance – Financial protection for your loved ones in the event of the unexpected.
• 401(k) Plan – Save for your future with access to a retirement savings plan.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match: Save for your future and grow your retirement savings with company contributions.