* Own the protein category and $100m direct spend
* Drive strategy, governance and market insights
* Partner with execs on margin, supply and risk
The Business
Patties Food Group, founded in 1966 as a family-owned cake shop in Lakes Entrance, Victoria, has grown into a leading Australian manufacturer and supplier of pies, frozen savouries, meals, and desserts. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Four'N Twenty, Patties, Herbert Adams and Nanna's.
We operate seven manufacturing sites across Australia and New Zealand and continue to expand our footprint internationally, exporting to markets including Japan and the USA. Guided by our values of Courage, Trust, Integrity and Ownership, Patties is focused on sustainable growth, operational excellence and building a high-performance culture — and this is where great people like you come in.
The Role
Reporting into the Head of Procurement, the Sourcing Manager – Protein is accountable for Patties' largest and most commercially sensitive sourcing portfolio, managing approximately $100m in direct raw protein spend.
This role has been created to fundamentally evolve how protein — particularly beef — is sourced across the business. Historically relationship-led and transactional, the category now requires stronger structure, governance and commercial rigour as Patties scales its manufacturing footprint and invests heavily in automation.
Based in Mentone, Melbourne (with an expected in-office presence Tuesday to Thursday), this role offers significant scope to shape strategy while remaining deeply involved in execution. It is suited to someone who thrives in complexity and enjoys building capability rather than inheriting a finished system.
Key responsibilities include:
* End-to-end accountability for protein sourcing and supplier management across all Patties sites
* Assessing and resetting the current protein category, including supplier reliance, pricing models, formats, specifications and exposure to risk
* Designing and delivering a clear protein category roadmap focused on value creation, resilience and future readiness
* Introducing more disciplined sourcing processes and governance to reduce reliance on individual relationships
* Providing forward-looking insights on beef and protein market movements to support executive planning and pricing decisions
* Leading supplier tenders, negotiations, contracting and ongoing performance management
* Supporting automation and simplification initiatives, including specification refinement and alternative sourcing approaches
* Working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Planning, Innovation, Quality and Finance to align sourcing with operational and future-state requirements
The Person
This role will suit a senior protein sourcing professional with deep, current exposure to the beef market and the credibility to operate comfortably with executive stakeholders.
You will ideally bring:
* Demonstrated experience in beef and protein sourcing within FMCG manufacturing, protein processing, QSR or large-scale food environments
* Strong capability navigating commodity volatility and advising on cost, availability and supply risk
* Experience uplifting categories from reactive buying to structured, strategic sourcing models
* Well-developed commercial judgement, negotiation skills and financial acumen
* Confidence presenting insights and recommendations to senior leaders, including CFO and CEO
* A pragmatic, resilient approach and comfort working through ambiguity and change
Melbourne-based (or willing to relocate) and aligned with Patties' hybrid working rhythm.
What we offer you
At Patties Food Group, our people are central to our success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone is treated with fairness and respect.
In return, we offer:
* Ownership of the most commercially significant category in the organisation
* Meaningful exposure to senior leadership and enterprise-level decision-making
* The opportunity to shape protein sourcing during a period of significant transformation
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
* Salary packaging benefits
* Product allowances to enjoy at home
* Access to EAP services, enhanced parental leave and a range of engagement initiatives
Patties people are hungry, humble and focused. Join us.
Unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies will not be accepted. No fees will be payable where a candidate is engaged without a valid, written recruitment agreement. Any such submissions will be treated as the property of Patties Food Group.