Procurement Manager

Who are we? Lyka is an Australian founded pet wellness company that’s shaking up an outdated industry and paving the way for happier, healthier pets. Despite medical advancements, animal lifespans are on the decline. Today, the average pet only reaches 37% of their full potential lifespan and statistics have shown us that many suffer from dental disease, cancer, and obesity. Simply put, the status quo is not enough. As humans, we’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact fresh wholefoods can have on our health and wellbeing, and we believe our furry friends deserve the same. We're on a mission to do just that, starting with nutritionally balanced, wholefood meals delivered direct to doors around Australia. As the world’s most sustainable pet wellness company, we’re putting pets and our planet first - one bowl at a time. Today, we are proud to share we’ve served over 50 million meals to puppers and their parents across Australia, and this is just the beginning. Our vision is to create multiple nutritional products, adding disease prevention meals and supplements, and expand into new markets. Currently, we have a team of 250+ pet-obsessed people, and we're continuing to grow (yes, looking at you!). These carefully selected people are dedicated to building the next generation of technology and products to help empower pet parents to take control over their pet’s wellbeing. Our Mission The time we share with our pets is being cut short. Despite medical advancements, they’re getting sicker earlier. They’re dying prematurely. The industry has it backwards - prioritising treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. That’s where we come in. At Lyka, we take a preventative, holistic and personalised approach to pet care. We look at the full picture, factoring in the diet, lifestyle and environment of each individual animal. We don’t stop at symptoms, instead, we dig for the root cause. We create nutrition plans unique to each pet, because it’s not just about living longer, but living well too. Our mission is to increase the lifespan of dogs and cats. Role responsibilities As the Procurement Manager at Lyka, you will be instrumental in shaping and enhancing the procurement function of our rapidly growing business, which sources over 90% of ingredients from Australian producers. In this role, you will lead supplier relationship management, drive cost optimization, and develop robust procurement strategies that align with Lyka's commitment to sustainability and scalability. You will play a critical role in sourcing directly from producers, mitigating supply chain risks, and implementing best- in-class procurement systems and processes. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by contributing to a reliable, efficient, and innovative supply chain that supports Lyka’s mission of delivering high-quality, sustainable pet nutrition. Supplier Management: Maintain and develop strong relationships with suppliers,negotiate contracts, manage performance, foster innovation, and ensure alignment with company goals. Cost Reduction: Develop and implement strategies to optimise costs across all procurement activities, including sourcing directly from producers and leveraging a growing purchasing power. Procurement Processes & Systems Development: Design and implement best-in-class procurement processes, including the development and optimisation of systems and tools for efficiency and scalability. Supply Chain Risk: Identify and mitigate risks, developing a robust and reliable supply chain for materials and ingredients as Lyka continues to scale. Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyse procurement data, commodities reports, and drive actions from it. Collaboration: Work cross-functionally with various teams (R&D, manufacturing, CAPEX, etc.) to align procurement strategies and implement initiatives that align with Requirements Experience: 5+ years in a procurement role, preferably in the food industry Education: Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field Supplier Management: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier performance effectively Cost Optimisation: Proven success in developing and implementing cost reduction strategies, including leveraging purchasing power Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including experience in using Total Cost of Ownership models and data-driven decision-making Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex ideas and collaborate across teams Project Management: Experience in cross-functional collaboration and leading initiatives that drive business objectives Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with commodities markets, procurement trends, and supply chain risk management Technical Proficiency: Experience with ERPs (Netsuite preferred) and advanced Excel skills. Benefits Work in a fast-growing start-up, experiencing what goes behind the scenes to sustain hyper-growth for a start-up with a physical product! Growth and Development – Lyka is growing extremely quickly, which means you will have the opportunity to experience different challenges every day and progressively acquire more responsibilities as our facility and team expand. We provide an annual L&D budget for you to continue your personal development. Work for a sustainability-focused company – we care about the health of our dogs and our planet. We’re proud to be Australia’s only carbon-negative and plastic-negative pet wellness company and we’re always looking at ways for us to improve sustainability practices. Be part of a diverse top-talent team, coming from widely different backgrounds and geographies. Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave top-up Wellbeing assistance and tools to take care of your mental and physical wellbeing so you can do your best work. Flexible working: work from where you get your best work done. We have pet-friendly offices and industrial kitchens in Sydney and Melbourne. Pupper parent support to care for your furry friends – flexible arrangements for new pets, pet-friendly offices, discounts, and financial allowance for dog training and care to help them live their best life! We are committed to building inclusive and diverse teams Lyka is an equal-opportunity employer devoted to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate diversity, are devoted to creating an inclusive environment for all staff and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.