Supply Chain Manager

Job Title: Supply Chain Manager

Location: Boulder, CO (Hybrid)

Who We Are:

Backpacker’s Pantry and Astronaut Foods are united by a passion for innovation, adventure, and exceptional food. Backpacker’s Pantry, founded in 1951, has a rich history of creating gourmet freeze-dried meals that fuel unforgettable outdoor adventures. Astronaut Foods, established in 1974, brings the thrill of space exploration to life with fun, freeze-dried snacks. Based in Boulder, Colorado, both brands are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable products that inspire curiosity, exploration, and discovery. Together, we are building a legacy of creativity and excellence in the specialty food space.

Role Summary:

American Outdoor Products is seeking an experienced and strategic Supply Chain Manager to lead all aspects of our end-to-end supply chain, from ingredient and packaging sourcing to production planning, inventory management, and purchasing. This role is critical to ensuring our products are made with integrity, delivered on time, and aligned with our quality, sustainability, and cost expectations. The Supply Chain Manager will oversee demand forecasting, procurement, inventory control, S&OP, and inbound/outbound logistics, partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, QA, and Finance to enable operational excellence and business growth. Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, the ideal candidate brings deep experience in food or CPG supply chains, thrives in a dynamic, hands-on environment, and takes pride in building systems that support both the brand vision and supply reliability.

Responsibilities:

Supplier and Contract Management

• Lead supplier relationship management, ensuring alignment with AOP’s cost, quality, sustainability, and social responsibility goals.
• Strategically source raw materials and packaging to optimize cost of goods, mitigate risks, and identify secondary/contingency suppliers.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts, pricing, service terms, and performance standards, ensuring long-term value and reliability.
• Issue, manage, and receive all purchase orders (POs) through the ERP system (Infor Syteline), maintaining clear and proactive communication with suppliers.
• Provide ingredient forecasts to suppliers to ensure availability and maintain service levels.
• Coordinate and schedule inbound ingredient shipments and pickups as needed, optimizing cost and lead times.

Procurement and Inventory Management

• Maintain raw material and packaging inventory at targeted levels through creative procurement strategies such as blanket POs, call-offs, volume leveraging, and safety stock optimization.
• Monitor inventory turnover, aging, and risk exposure; proactively adjust purchasing and storage strategies to support financial and operational goals.
• Collaborate with QA to verify supplier documentation, material authenticity, certifications, and compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Support new product innovation by identifying, evaluating, and onboarding new suppliers aligned with product development goals and brand standards.

Demand Planning and S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning)

• Lead the S&OP process, developing collaborative forecasts based on historical sales, market trends, and sales projections to align supply and production planning.
• Develop and maintain demand plans that drive production schedules, inventory strategies, procurement cycles, and supplier communication.
• Review and adjust production work orders daily/weekly based on demand fluctuations, material availability, and customer needs.
• Ensure proactive communication with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to align forecasts and respond dynamically to changing business requirements.

Production Scheduling

• Assist in building and managing rolling production schedules that ensure on-time, in-full (OTIF) fulfillment of customer orders, adjusting schedules proactively to maintain service and efficiency.
• Conduct weekly ingredient inventory reviews to ensure materials are available to support production runs; identify and resolve shortages or delays ahead of schedule.
• Manage production work order issuance, tracking, and adjustments within ERP system.

Budget and Productivity Management

• Own and manage supply chain cost reporting and analysis, covering key spend categories including raw materials, packaging, inventory, and inbound logistics.
• Track supply chain variances, report on budget adherence, and provide recommendations for corrective actions where needed.
• Secure competitive quotations from suppliers and recommend selections based on quality, sustainability, service, and total cost of ownership.
• Identify opportunities for supply chain innovation, process improvement, and cost optimization based on industry best practices.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with all company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), food safety regulations, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain to enhance efficiency, responsiveness, data visibility, and operational resilience.
• Support and contribute to broader organizational initiatives, including sustainability, quality assurance, and operational excellence programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field required; advanced degree a plus.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, demand planning, or operations, preferably within the food or CPG industry.
• Demonstrated success in supplier sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management, with a focus on cost optimization and quality assurance.
• Proven ability to lead and improve S&OP processes, demand forecasting, inventory planning, and production scheduling in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Infor Syteline, NetSuite, SAP) and advanced mastery in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and planning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and present clearly to leadership.
• Highly organized and proactive, with strong problem-solving skills and a track record of driving process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, QA, and Finance to align supply chain strategies with broader business goals.
• Familiarity with food industry regulatory compliance and documentation standards related to ingredient traceability and vendor verification.
• Experience with or interest in sustainable and ethical sourcing practices is a plus.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred but not required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $95-110K
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid holidays
• 401(K) retirement plan
• Employee profit-sharing program
• Product stipend and access to industry deals

AOP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated fairly and with respect. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Our commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of employment.