About this role
At Thorne, we work to deliver high-quality, science-backed solutions to empower individuals to take a proactive approach to their well-being. Each day begins with a mission to help others discover and achieve their best health. We count on our team members to challenge and push the boundaries to make that happen. At Thorne, you’ll be joining a team of more than 750 passionate individuals committed to our cause of providing superior health solutions at every age and life stage. The Senior Purchasing Manager, Outside Contract Manufacturing (OCM) leads the strategic sourcing and procurement of finished goods and materials produced by Thorne's Outside Contract Manufacturing partners. This role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, negotiating commercial agreements, managing supplier performance, and ensuring the reliable supply of high-quality products that support Thorne's manufacturing and business objectives. Working closely with Planning, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development, Operations, Finance, and external manufacturing partners, the Senior Purchasing Manager develops and executes supplier strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, capacity, and supply continuity. This position oversees the end-to-end procurement process, manages key supplier relationships, and drives continuous improvement across the contract manufacturing network while ensuring compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and internal quality standards. The ideal candidate is a strategic procurement leader with deep experience managing contract manufacturers, negotiating complex supplier agreements, and building long-term partnerships that support operational excellence and business growth. Travel Requirements: Approximately 10–15% Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Manage the end-to-end procurement process for finished goods and materials sourced from Outside Contract Manufacturers. Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support business growth, supply continuity, product quality, capacity requirements, and cost objectives. Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers and contract manufacturing partners based on quality, cost, capacity, lead time, service, technical capability, and operational risk. Evaluate supplier quotations and service proposals and negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, capacity commitments, and other commercial terms. Negotiate and support the execution of supplier agreements, statements of work, pricing agreements, and other purchasing documentation. Issue and manage purchase orders in accordance with approved demand plans, production schedules, contractual requirements, and inventory targets. Ensure Thorne-supplied materials required by contract manufacturers are purchased, delivered, and available in alignment with production needs. Identify cost-reduction, cost-avoidance, and value-improvement opportunities without compromising quality, service, or supply continuity. Supplier and Contract Manufacturer Management Build and maintain productive relationships with contract manufacturers and key suppliers to support performance, capacity, quality, innovation, and long-term partnership objectives. Monitor and evaluate supplier performance using established metrics, including on-time delivery, quality, cost, responsiveness, service, and corrective-action effectiveness. Lead regular supplier performance reviews and partner with suppliers to address performance gaps, capacity constraints, quality concerns, and delivery risks. Stay informed of supplier capabilities, market conditions, emerging technologies, product developments, industry trends, and changes that may affect supply or cost. Partner with Quality to support supplier qualification, procurement audits, corrective actions, and ongoing supplier compliance activities. Escalate significant supplier risks and develop mitigation plans, alternate sourcing strategies, or recovery actions as needed. Maintain awareness of contract manufacturer capacity and proactively address potential supply constraints. New Product and Innovation Support Partner with Research and Development, Innovation, Quality, Planning, and Operations teams to support sourcing activities for new products, reformulations, and product changes. Identify and evaluate potential contract manufacturers and suppliers for new initiatives based on technical capability, cost, quality, lead time, capacity, and scalability. Support supplier onboarding, quote analysis, feasibility reviews, commercialization planning, and launch-readiness activities. Coordinate purchasing requirements and supplier commitments to support project timelines and product-launch objectives. Planning, Inventory, and Operational Support Work closely with Planning and the Outside Contract Manufacturing Manager to monitor production schedules, material availability, and supplier on-time delivery. Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support customer demand and production schedules while minimizing excess, obsolete, or slow-moving inventory. Review purchasing, inventory, supplier, and demand reports to identify risks, trends, and required actions. Resolve purchasing issues involving goods, services, materials, invoices, delivery, quality, pricing, or specifications in partnership with internal stakeholders and suppliers. Ensure purchasing data, supplier information, pricing, lead times, and purchase-order records are accurate and current within the Enterprise Resource Planning system. Communicate supply risks, supplier issues, cost impacts, and recommended solutions clearly to business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders. Leadership and Continuous Improvement Provide guidance, training, and support to less-experienced purchasing team members. Explain procurement processes, requirements, and business considerations to cross-functional partners. Identify and implement improvements to sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, reporting, and procurement workflows. Establish clear expectations, priorities, and performance objectives for assigned team members, where applicable. Support a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented culture focused on quality, service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Perform other procurement and supply-chain responsibilities as assigned.