Founding Supply Chain and Sourcing Operator

Role Overview

This is a hands-on, execution-focused contract role.

You’ll work directly with me to:

• Analyze the jerky/protein snack category

• Identify and vet co-packers and suppliers

• Run structured vendor outreach

• Build comparison models

• Help determine who we should (and shouldn’t) work with

This is part research, part sourcing, part early supply chain strategy. You will be doing real outreach, collecting real quotes, and helping make real decisions.

Core Responsibilities

1. Market & Competitive Research (Jerky / Protein Snacks)

• Analyze the current jerky and meat snack landscape (chicken, beef, turkey, plant-based)

• Break down pricing, positioning, packaging formats, claims, and distribution channels

• Estimate retail pricing bands and target gross margin opportunities

• Identify whitespace opportunities and red flags

• Summarize findings into concise, decision-ready documents (not 40-page decks)

Deliverable examples:

• Competitive pricing matrix

• SKU comparison breakdown

• Category summary memo (5–10 pages max)

2. Co-Packer & Manufacturer Sourcing

• Identify U.S.-based co-packers experienced in:

  • Meat snacks / jerky

  • USDA-inspected facilities

  • Shelf-stable protein products

• Screen for certifications (USDA, SQF, HACCP, BRC, etc.)

• Assess production capabilities, minimums, scalability

• Gather MOQs, capacity, lead times, and rough cost estimates

Deliverable examples:

• Co-packer long list (20+)

• Shortlist (5–8 serious candidates)

• Comparison table with pros/cons

3. Ingredient & Packaging Vendor Outreach

• Source:

  • Chicken suppliers (raw or pre-processed)

  • Marinade / seasoning suppliers

  • Functional ingredients (if needed)

  • Flexible packaging vendors (pouches, films, labels)

• Conduct structured outreach (email + phone when needed)

• Collect:

  • Pricing tiers

  • MOQs

  • Lead times

  • Certifications

  • Payment terms

• Track everything in a clean, well-organized spreadsheet

4. Vendor Communication & Vetting

• Draft professional outreach emails

• Schedule intro calls when necessary

• Ask smart follow-up questions

• Flag risks (high MOQs, limited capacity, weak certifications, unrealistic pricing)

You’re not just collecting numbers — you’re evaluating feasibility.

5. Cost Modeling & Supply Chain Support

• Build basic COGS models:

  • Ingredient costs

  • Co-packing fees

  • Packaging costs

  • Freight assumptions

• Help estimate gross margins at different retail price points

• Model different production volume scenarios

• Highlight margin risks and break-even thresholds

6. Decision Support

• Present clean comparison tables

• Provide clear recommendations

• Identify top 2–3 partner paths

• Help define go / no-go criteria

The goal is clarity, not complexity.

Required Skills & Experience

You likely have experience in one or more of the following:

• CPG, food & beverage, or protein/meat categories

• Supply chain, sourcing, or procurement

• Operations at a startup

• Consulting with strong research and modeling skills

• Investment diligence (consumer or food)

• Food manufacturing or co-packer relationships

You should be:

• Extremely organized

• Comfortable reaching out cold to vendors

• Strong in Excel or Google Sheets

• Clear and concise in written communication

• Comfortable with ambiguity

• Able to turn messy information into structured insights

• Bias toward action over theory

If you need constant direction, this isn’t the right role.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience working with USDA-inspected facilities

• Knowledge of meat processing or jerky production

• Background in food science or food ops

• Direct experience sourcing co-packers

• MBA or ops/strategy background

• Prior early-stage startup experience

Time Commitment

• Part-time (10–20 hours per week)

• Flexible schedule

• Mostly remote

• Weekly check-ins with founder

Contract Length

• 8–12 weeks initially

• Extendable based on progress and fit

• Potential for expanded role if we move into production

Who This Is a Great Fit For

• Former consultant who wants hands-on operator exposure

• MBA student with CPG or supply chain interest

• Early-stage ops generalist

• CPG sourcing or procurement professional looking for flexible work

• Food startup operator between roles

• Ex-investor who likes doing real execution work