NATHANIEL MENDOZA
Gategroup
Chicago,IL
7
years of professional experience
Detail-oriented Sourcing and Procurement Professional with over 5 years of experience in managing ingredients, packaging, and finished goods in food service and CPG sectors. Expertise in executing RFQs, negotiating supplier terms, and overseeing purchase orders from initiation to completion while ensuring accurate costs and vendor documentation.
Work History
Sourcing Manager
6 Years- Own category sourcing across bread, dairy, spices, oils & fats, and packaging — managing supplier qualification, compliance documentation (COAs, specs, certifications), cost management, and risk mitigation across North America
- Run RFQs across assigned categories, collect and compare supplier quotes, build cost comparison models, and quantify savings opportunities
- Monitored commodity market trends to identify pricing risks early and developed proactive mitigation strategies, including backup supplier qualification
- Maintain item cost accuracy, pack size details, and vendor master records.
- Implemented automation flows cross-functionally to aid in collaboration and cut turnaround time
- Ensure HACCP, food safety, and regulatory compliance across the supplier network, including CFIA and federal food handling guidelines
- Negotiated pricing, MOQs, lead times, and payment terms across assigned categories; maintained supplier scorecards and managed contract renewals and volume commitments
- Deliver year-over-year procurement savings through competitive bidding, contract renegotiation's, and volume consolidation — reporting savings versus prior-year budget to leadership
- Support new supplier onboarding: coordinate documentation (W-9s, COIs, credit applications)
- Translate customer flight schedules and BOM production plans into purchasing decisions that balance MOQs, lead times, tiered pricing, and inventory levels
Manager, Logistics & Supply Chain
2 Years 8 Months- Managed large-scale ingredient procurement for a nationally distributed functional food brand. Sourcing organic and gluten-free certified raw materials to meet strict retailer compliance standards
- Maintained detailed records of stock levels, open orders, and inbound shipments, ensuring uninterrupted supply continuity for production
- Oversaw accounts receivable and payable, ensuring invoice accuracy and facilitating timely supplier payments to support operational cash flow
- Managed all aspects of finished goods logistics including distribution, movement, and storage in compliance with food safety standards
- Led a freight audit project using historical shipping data to build a cost analysis presented to upper management — identified a savings opportunity and project-managed a seamless transition to a new freight provider
- Maintained product certifications
- Contributed to trade spend dispute identification and resolution processes
Education
Bachelor of Science - Applied Mathematics, Minor in Computer Science
Skills
RFQ/RFP execution
Ingredient sourcing
Supplier Performance Management
Supplier relationship management
Strategic sourcing
Material planning
Procurement strategy
Sustainability practices
Category management
Team collaboration
Data analytics
Systems & Tools: Advanced Excel
SACS
Power Automate
Microsoft 365
Personal Information
Title: Sourcing Manager | Ingredients, Packaging & CPG Procurement
Timeline
Sourcing Manager
Gategroup
10.2020 - CurrentRead More
Manager, Logistics & Supply Chain
Picnik (CPG — Nationally Distributed)
02.2020 - 10.2022Read More
Texas State University
Bachelor of Science from Applied Mathematics, Minor in Computer Science
Read More