Ready to Transform Retail? Embark on a rewarding career with Sobeys Inc., celebrated among Canada’s Top 100 employers where your unique contributions drive success. **Ready to start fresh?** Sobeys is full of exciting opportunities, and we are always looking for bright new talent to join our team! We currently have an opportunity for a Supplier Development Lead with immense Produce knowledge to join our Sourcing & Supplier Development team. **Here’s where you’ll be focusing:** + Strengthen and develop Sobeys relationships through in person RSC and DSD supplier visits/meetings. + Oversee and manage the regional Wholesale and Hyper Local DSD programs. + Continuously raise the bar of quality through supplier coaching in order to meet or exceed Sobeys specifications. + Review supplier scorecards and identify inferior and superior performers. + Support the Sourcing Managers in following up on product rejections with the suppliers and ensure corrective actions are put in place. + Provide Sourcing Managers and Category Managers (when relevant) information on crop availability and quality outlook for their respective area. + Recommend specification adjustments based on current crop conditions. + Collaborate with Sourcing and Quality Control to develop or adjust Sobeys product specifications based on merchandising strategy and industry standards. + Collaborate and assist in seasonal planning with Sourcing Managers and Category Manager (when relevant). + Inspect product at source using Sobeys’ SOPs, document and communicate findings with the Sourcing team and Merchandising (when relevant). + Identify and develop potential quality growers (RSC & DSD), products, innovation and communicate to Sourcing Team and Category Team (when relevant). + Conduct basic food safety observations during supplier visits and consult with the food safety team as required. In addition, ensure cold chain compliance requirements are met. + Advise Sobeys of industry regulations that may affect the way we do business · Support the business with the gathering of data or any information that may be required from the suppliers **What you have to offer:** + An Undergraduate Degree and/or a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience + Ability to travel 50% or more + 1-2 years experience as CFIA/USDA inspector, retail produce manager, private produce inspection company, or produce grower/wholesaler + Familiarity with CFIA and USDA requirements + Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, Excel, iTrade and strong computer skills + Ability to communicate in a concise, accurate, timely, and professional manner both verbally and written + Proficient use of appropriate QC equipment · General understanding of GAP and GMP Requirements + Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. + Valid driver’s license and valid Passport + Ability to determine colors + Willing to work flexible work schedules including weekends and holidays **Who we are:** We started in a small town in Nova Scotia but we are now in communities of all sizes across this great country. With over 1,600 stores in all 10 provinces, you may know us as Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Lawtons Drug Stores or another of our great banners but we are all one extended family. Our family of 128,000 employees and franchise affiliates share a collective passion for delivering exceptional shopping experiences and amazing food to all our customers. Our mission is to nurture the things that make life better – great experiences, families, communities, and our employees. We are a family nurturing families. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is fuelled by our purpose and values. It shapes our culture and drives business success. As a family nurturing families, we embed DE&I into everything we do. We know that it takes open minds and respect for distinct perspectives to create engaging workplaces, inclusive customer experiences and strong community partnerships. We are committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process and will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of this process. **What we offer:** Our Total Rewards package is designed to help our teammates thrive—physically, financially, and emotionally. While offerings vary by role and employment type (full-time, part-time, contractual), eligible teammates may receive: + Comprehensive Benefits Package with health and dental coverage, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability insurance. + Access to Virtual Health Care and an Employee and Family Assistance Program for personalized support. + Retirement and Savings Plan to help you build financial security. + 10% In-Store Discount at participating banners, plus additional discount programs. + Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP), giving you the opportunity to invest in the company’s success. + Learning and Development Resources to support your career growth. + Parental Leave Top-Up to assist growing families. + Paid Vacation and Days Off to help you recharge. Sobeys is committed to providing a compensation structure that is flexible, equitable and competitive in the market to enable performance and growth. To learn more about this opportunity—including expected range of compensation in accordance with Pay Transparency Legislation where required —please click the “I’m interested” button above. Individual Compensation is determined based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity within the range provided. External websites may share our organization's job postings which includes compensation information based on similar roles and market benchmarks. These figures are provided for general comparison purposes only and are not issued or verified by our organization.. To drive our commitment to team collaboration and the overall success of our office culture we require our teammates to have the ability to adhere to a hybrid work model that requires your presence at one of our office locations at least three days per week. If you feel that this describes the kind of work you want to do and you are excited about what Sobeys has to offer, then please apply by the posting end date indicated above. We encourage candidates to submit a resume and take the time to ensure that their application highlights what makes them uniquely qualified for this opportunity! Please note: Successful candidates will be required to provide documentation to prove their legal ability to work in the position during the onboarding process. Documentation will be assessed by the employer prior to commencement of work. **Job Details** **Job Family** **Merchandising** **Job Function** **Merchandising - Sourcing** **Pay Type** **Salary** **Travel Percentage** **50**