Jobs

Director of Procurement & Supply Chain Management

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Radical Plastics has developed a breakthrough technology to stem the tide of plastic pollution. Founded by plastics industry veterans Dr. Yelena Kann (CTO) and Kristin Taylor (CEO) and funded by the USDA and savvy investors, our startup has developed a patented technology that involves blending conventional plastics with a proprietary, naturally occurring catalyst. Radical Plastics compounds perform like regular plastics, but they biodegrade fully in the environment, leaving no residue, no toxic substances, and no microplastics!

The company’s first target is the single-use agricultural film market, which exceeds 600 million pounds per year in the U.S. The vast majority of this film is non-degradable polyethylene which must be landfilled or incinerated after use due to contamination. Radical Plastics has been running field trials of soil-biodegradable mulch films for the past two years, and we plan to roll out commercial sales of this first product line in 2022. The films are fully biodegradable in the natural environment, and the minerals that make up the catalyst bring valuable nutrients back to the soil.  Because the grower can just till the film back into the soil at the end of the growing season, film made using the Radical Plastics compound can provide a significant cost savings while offering a sustainable solution with superior performance benefits.

Going forward, we will expand the impact of this groundbreaking technology by addressing other short-term use applications such as flexible packaging, bags, coatings and fibers. By replacing existing, environmentally-persistent plastics with biodegradable alternatives, Radical Plastics can make a meaningful contribution in the battle against plastic pollution.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a critical member of the Radical Plastics team, the Supply Chain Manager will report directly to the CEO and will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with vendors and industry partners.  This includes managing material flow (warehousing, shipping, etc.), negotiating favorable pricing and supply agreements with existing vendors, qualifying new vendors and service providers and developing and maintaining effective corporate purchasing and inventory management systems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:
 

  • Oversee global sourcing of resin, additives and other components to support rapid commercial scale-up

  • Lead initiatives related to identification, selection, negotiation and management of suppliers, service providers & co-manufacturers

  • Develop procurement strategies and tactics that drive improvement in supplier quality, delivery, pricing, working capital and lead times

  • Process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment

  • Manage the budget and forecast process for raw materials, as well as utilities, packaging, and other indirect materials or services

  • Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products, raw or substitute materials

  • Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability and potential business risks

  • Ensure that all requirements concerning Health & Safety, environmental and legal regulations are followed


YOU’RE A STRONG MATCH FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU:
 

  • Have 10+ years of experience in purchasing and/or supply chain in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, ideally in plastics or additives

  • Have a strong track record in the area of material logistics – consistently meeting quantity, quality, pricing and delivery targets

  • Have global commodity experience including basic knowledge of international shipping and regulatory requirements (REACH, RoHS, etc.)

  • Have an ability to multitask and handle multiple business demands simultaneously

  • Demonstrate an ability to motivate and lead in a very dynamic, fast-paced, and technically sophisticated business environment

  • Have experience negotiating and closing supply agreements in the plastics and chemicals space

  • Exhibit excellent organizational and leadership skills

  • Possess outstanding written and verbal communication skills

  • Are proficient with Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint

  • Are proficient with Internet search engines and accessing supplier websites and online portals

  • Enjoy being part of a technical team, bringing innovative products to market to help solve pressing problems

  • Are a collaborative team player who is willing to join a startup that could truly change the world

 


WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER

 

  • Competitive base salary and bonus/commission, benefits and equity;

  • Significant career growth opportunity;

  • An exciting startup culture;

  • The ability to work remotely;

  • A chance to make a meaningful difference for the company and for the planet

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It is the policy of Radical Plastics to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy/childbirth, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability or perceived disability, genetic information, citizenship, veteran or military status or a person’s relationship or association with a protected veteran, including spouses and other family members, marital or domestic partner status, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, Radical Plastics is committed to a diverse workforce.

Job Description