Procurement Specialist

Are you ready to join Connecticut Innovation’s vibrant community of innovators? Connecticut Innovations (“CI”) is Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm, and we are passionate about serving our portfolio of 220\+ companies across various industries, with strengths in life sciences, technology, and climate tech.

Come join HealthyBaby— the safest, organic essentials for your baby \& the planet!!

About HealthyBaby

HealthyBaby is a pioneering platform for maternal health and babycare for today's families. Their suite of babycare essentials includes the first EWG Verified Safe diapers, diaper pants, microbiome friendly skincare and a comprehensive prenatal vitamin regimen designed in partnership with the Neurological Health Foundation. The certified B corporation is dedicated to putting health first while proactively supporting parents to make the most of their child's developmental years. Parents can subscribe to diapers and bundle essentials online or find the brand's diapers at Target. For more information, please visit

healthybaby.com

.

Role Overview

This role will play a critical role in building and scaling HealthyBaby’s global supply base to support a growing and evolving product portfolio.

This role owns end-to-end procurement execution, including strategic sourcing, supplier and contract manufacturer management, purchasing, and supply planning coordination within NetSuite. This role will ensure that materials, components, and manufacturing partnerships deliver against HealthyBaby’s standards for quality, safety, performance, and cost discipline. This role will act as a partner to Operations, Product Development, and Finance.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience working with contract manufacturers and material suppliers in complex, multi-component CPG products (e.g., textiles, absorbent hygiene, or similar categories) and understands how sourcing and planning decisions directly impact product integrity, service levels, and margin.

Strategic Sourcing \& Supplier Development

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers and contract manufacturing partners aligned with HealthyBaby’s standards.
• Lead day-to-day and long-term relationships with contract manufacturers, ensuring accountability across:
• Cost
• Quality
• Service levels
• Capacity and scalability
• Build and maintain a diversified, resilient supplier network across key materials and components.
• Continuously assess supplier and manufacturer capabilities, innovation potential, and risk exposure.

Purchasing, Planning \& NetSuite Execution

• Own procurement execution within NetSuite, including:
• Purchase order creation and management
• Supplier pricing and item master data integrity
• Lead times and replenishment parameters
• Partner with Operations to support demand planning and supply planning alignment, ensuring material availability for production.
• Monitor and manage inventory positions, open POs, and inbound supply risks.
• Drive continuous improvement in how procurement and planning are executed within NetSuite.

Material and Component Sourcing

• Own sourcing of raw materials, components, and packaging across product categories.
• Partner with Product Development to identify optimal materials balancing:
• Performance
• Safety and health standards
• Cost efficiency
• Manufacturability
• Bring category insight into materials commonly used in textile-based or absorbent products (nonwovens, films, elastics, adhesives, etc.).

Cost Management \& Negotiation

• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and manufacturers, including:
• Pricing agreements
• MOQs and lead times
• Contract terms
• Develop a deep understanding of cost drivers (materials, labor, logistics, scale).
• Build cost models and identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to manage COGS and margin targets.

Product Development \& Commercialization Support

• Support new product launches from sourcing through production scale-up.
• Ensure sourcing strategies align with product specs, timelines, and cost targets.
• Identify sourcing and manufacturing risks early and proactively mitigate them.
• Work closely with contract manufacturers during development and ramp.

Supply Continuity \& Risk Management

• Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks across materials and manufacturers.
• Develop and maintain dual sourcing strategies where appropriate.
• Manage disruptions and ensure continuity of supply for all critical inputs.
• Respond to disruptions quickly and effectively.

Quality \& Compliance Partnership

• Ensure suppliers and manufacturers meet HealthyBaby’s standards for:
• Quality
• Safety
• Regulatory compliance
• Transparency
• Support audits, certifications, and ongoing supplier performance management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with:
• Operations (manufacturing, planning, logistics)
• Product Development/Commercialization team (materials, formulation, specifications)
• Marketing (claims, materials integrity, storytelling)
• Finance (cost management, budgeting)
• Serve as a key connector between upstream supply and downstream product strategy.

Systems, Data \& Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate procurement and supplier data within NetSuite.
• Improve procurement workflows, reporting, and system utilization.
• Leverage data to drive better sourcing decisions and supplier performance tracking.
• Continuously identify opportunities to increase efficiency and scalability.

Qualifications

• 5–8\+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain within CPG or related industries.
• Hands-on experience with NetSuite, specifically:
• Purchasing
• Supplier management
• Inventory / planning coordination
• Proven experience working with contract manufacturers and global suppliers.
• Experience sourcing materials in complex, multi-component products (e.g., textiles, personal care, absorbent or hygiene-related categories preferred).
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated impact on cost and terms.
• Deep understanding of supply chain fundamentals: lead times, MOQs, capacity, and risk management.
• Strong analytical and systems skills; comfortable working with data and cost models.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced environment.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.
• Mission-driven mindset aligned with HealthyBaby’s values.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Connecticut Innovations and its portfolio companies are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We have strict wage minimums, generous benefits, and personal leave policies. Our goal is to provide safe, rewarding, and empowering work environments for all who interact with our company and/or portfolio companies.