What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supply Chain Manager position at Catalina Finer Food, LLC?
PROCUREMENT MANAGER CATALINA FINER FOODS
Location: Tampa, FL
Company: Catalina Finer Foods
Company Overview
Headquartered in Tampa, FL and with offices in Miami, FL, Catalina Finer Foods is a leading manufacturer of Cuban frozen food products. Catalina was established nearly 50 years ago by Alejandro Cepero, and his son Justo. The company operates out of three facilities totaling approximately 65,000 square feet. Our leading products include Croquettes, Stuffed Potato Balls, Cuban Tamales, Yuca Rellena, and many others. The Catalina brand is extremely well-known in the state of Florida, and among the Cuban
American community. Catalina Finer Food, LLC is owned by a consortium of private equity firms.
Job Summary
We are seeking The Procurement Manager at Catalina is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing and procurement of ingredients, packaging, and operational supplies essential to our food manufacturing operations. This role ensures that all purchases meet Catalina’s high standards of quality, safety, and cost-efficiency while supporting our commitment to continuous improvement and food safety excellence.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
❖ Serves as the primary point of contact for all procurement and vendor-related activities for Catalina’s production facility for both Catalina’s locations in Tampa, Florida and Connecticut.
❖ Develops and implements procurement policies and systems to ensure the timely and cost-effective sourcing of goods and services aligned with Catalina’s operational needs.
❖ Sources and qualifies suppliers of food-grade materials, packaging, and facility services while ensuring compliance with SQF and food safety standards.
❖ Negotiates contracts and maintains long-term supplier relationships focused on quality, reliability, and sustainability.
❖ Collaborates with operations, R&D, QA, and finance teams to support innovation, forecast demand, and reduce material waste.
❖ Supports inventory management by analyzing usage trends and adjusting purchasing plans to ensure uninterrupted production flow.
❖ Manages the resolution of non-conforming materials, working with Quality and Operations to ensure supplier accountability and timely corrective actions.
❖ Tracks supplier performance and cost metrics to identify and implement process improvements and cost-saving opportunities.
❖ Supports Catalina’s food safety culture by aligning all purchasing practices with SQF, HACCP, and regulatory compliance standards.
❖ Acts as backup to the VP of Operations when related to vendor or supply chain matters.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
❖ Ensures vendors meet Catalina’s supplier approval criteria, including compliance with allergen control, traceability, and labeling standards.
❖ Procurement & Food Safety Integration
❖ Escalates procurement-related issues that may impact food safety, quality, or production schedules.
❖ Participates in cross-functional meetings to support product launches, cost reviews, and supplier scorecard evaluations.
❖ Maintains documentation for procurement audits and participates in internal and external inspections as needed.
❖ Assists in the annual validation and verification of supplier programs and procurement procedures.
❖ Supports Catalina’s continuous improvement initiatives by proposing alternative materials, suppliers, and sourcing strategies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
❖ Periodic lifting of up to 35 lbs., occasional warehouse or supplier site visits.
❖ Able to work for extended periods of time on a PC and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
❖ Bilingual Fluent in Spanish
❖Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
❖ 8 years of experience in procurement, ideally within the food or manufacturing sector.
❖ Strong oral and written communication skills, negotiation expertise, and organizational abilities.
❖ Knowledge of food industry procurement standards, including SQF, FSMA, and HACCP.
❖ Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite or SAP preferred.
❖ Ability to take initiative, manage deadlines, and work collaboratively across departments.
❖Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software, QuickBooks.
For information on Catalina, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.catalinafoods.com
Catalina is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
Experience:
- Procurement management: 7 years (Required)
Language:
- Spanish (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Tampa, FL 33614 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Tampa, FL 33614: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person