Director, Purchasing & Packaging Operations

Director, Purchasing & Packaging Operations

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🌱 Grow With Us – Join the Nature Fresh Farms Team!

Imagine breaking from tradition to ensure a brighter future for generations to come. At Nature Fresh Farms®, we’re committed to nourishing people and the planet through greenhouse farming.

Since 1999, our family-owned company has pursued a simple yet profound goal: to cultivate a kinder, healthier future. Today, we’re proud to be one of North America’s largest vertically integrated leaders in greenhouse-grown produce. While we are growers, we are also greenhouse builders, plant nurturers, and collaborative partners united by shared values and vision.

Our journey is far from over. As we look to the future, we remain committed to:

• Innovation and conservation
• Reducing waste and promoting biodiversity
• Creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and friendlier world for all

We are currently looking to fill a full-time, permanent position for a Director Purchasing & Packaging Operations in our Purchasing Department at our Leamington, ON facility.

What You'll Do:

• Provide strong, values-driven leadership that inspires collaboration, accountability, and excellence across purchasing and packaging teams.
• Develop, mentor, and empower team members to execute effectively, fostering a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Lead with integrity, transparency, and empathy while championing company values and professional development.
• Set expectations, monitor progress, and ensure accountability through regular one-on one meetings and team check-ins with direct team. Ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational priorities.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and lead performance management processes, including goal setting, development planning, and corrective actions where required.
• Define and oversee the organization’s purchasing and inventory across all operational categories, ensuring consistency, scalability, and long-term value creation.
• Develop, formalize, and maintain procurement policies, governance frameworks, and SOPs that standardize processes, ensure compliance, and promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the organization.
• Direct strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize cost, quality, and supplier reliability, including packaging, capital equipment, and indirect goods.
• Oversee procurement systems, processes, and tools that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and visibility across the supply chain.
• Collaborate with Finance and Operations to set budgets, track performance metrics, and deliver measurable cost improvements.
• Partner with senior leadership to anticipate business needs and position the function to support future growth and innovation.
• Support packaging sourcing and procurement in alignment with packaging development led by Marketing and Product Strategy Supplier Relationship Management
• Oversee strategic supplier partnerships, ensuring alignment with company standards for quality, ethics, and performance.
• Guide supplier evaluation, negotiation, and performance management frameworks that promote mutual value and long-term collaboration.
• Use data and market intelligence to inform sourcing decisions, mitigate risks, and identify opportunities for innovation and savings.
• Comply with all Health and Safety, Food Safety, Bio Security, and Nature Fresh Policies and Procedures. As a Director, you are also responsible for ensuring that your employees understand and adhere to these requirements
• This job description highlights the main components but is not inclusive of other activities that may be required

What You Bring:

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale farm operations, controlled environment agriculture (greenhouse operations strongly preferred), or food production.
• Proven experience managing multi-site operations, including facilities such as greenhouses, bunkhouses, warehouses, and office infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of controlled environment agriculture systems (climate control, irrigation, lighting, CO₂ enrichment).
• Familiarity with renewable energy and greenhouse energy technologies, including best practices for adoption and optimization.
• Experience implementing preventive maintenance programs and capital improvement projects for complex infrastructure.
• Proficiency in health & safety standards, compliance, and sustainability practices in agri-food environments.
• Proven track record in ROI analysis, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse, and multi-skilled teams across multiple facilities.
• Strong background in budgeting, financial planning, and cost optimization for operational functions.
• Track record of strategic planning and execution—balancing short-term priorities with long-term growth.
• Skilled at cross-functional collaboration, particularly between operations, production, growing, and HR teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present operational strategies to executives and key decision makers.
• Proven success in driving operational excellence initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar) is considered a bonus.

What To Expect:

• Mainly office setting with some warehouse as needed – walking sitting and standing throughout the day.
• Working with a diverse group of people at all levels.
• The Purchasing Manager is expected to work Monday-Friday, with occasional Saturdays as required. Hours may fluctuate according to business needs. May be required to work after hours as needed.
• Must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation

We’re searching for passionate, purpose-driven individuals who are eager to make a difference — not just in their day-to-day work, but in the world around them. The right candidate is someone who shares our vision for a kinder, healthier future and lives out values that align with our own.

At Nature Fresh Farms,our GROWS Company Values guide everything we do — from how we collaborate as a team to how we grow as individuals and as a business:

🌱 Growing People – We cultivate greatness, every day

💚 Respect and Care – We care for our people and our communities

👥 One Team – We’re stronger as one

🎯 Win By Challenging – We reimagine what’s possible

🤝 Serve With Purpose – We make things happen

If you’re someone who believes in doing meaningful work, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is motivated by innovation and impact, you’ll feel right at home here.

Why Work With Us?

• A forward-thinking, sustainability-driven company
• Supportive, people-first workplace culture
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and development
• Competitive wages and benefits
• A chance to be part of something bigger than yourself

Ready to Grow With Us?

If you're inspired to make a real impact and grow your career in an innovative, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you!

Click the “Apply” button and submit your resume to take the next step in your career with Nature Fresh Farms.

Nature Fresh Farms is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from candidates, in accordance with all relevant legislation. Nature Fresh Farms provides an accessible environment in which all individuals have access in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Purchasing

Industries: Farming

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