Associate Corporate Buyer

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The Associate Corporate Buyer supports the procurement of packaging, ingredients, and operating supplies for the Lunch Makers business by executing purchasing activities in accordance with established policies and procedures. In this role, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure materials are sourced at optimal cost, quality, and service levels. You will assist with supplier coordination, order execution, and basic analysis to support continuity of supply while contributing to cost optimization and operational efficiency across the supply chain.

What You’ll Do

• Business Partnership & Strategy Support: Participate in Marketing and cross-functional meetings to provide input on business strategy, support new product development, and ensure purchasing decisions align with operational and business needs.
• Product Line & Supplier Management: Manage the day-to-day purchasing needs for assigned product lines used across multiple facilities, serving as a liaison between plants and suppliers and supporting the implementation of new suppliers and sourcing awards.
• Materials Planning & Inventory Control: Monitor material availability, quality, and delivery performance; manage redundant and obsolete materials; follow up on purchase orders; and communicate order status to internal stakeholders.
• Systems & Data Stewardship: Serve as SAP Gatekeeper for Ingredients and Packaging and provide facility support for SAP, DSP (Data Stewardship Platform), MRP, and packaging inquiries while maintaining accurate supplier and vendor data.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Support Marketing, R&D, and plant teams through ideation sessions, product transfers, and implementation of product changes, representing Purchasing in cross-functional initiatives.
• Supplier Performance & Issue Resolution: Lead weekly plant purchasing manager meetings to identify and resolve supplier issues, follow up on claims, and ensure adherence to sourcing agreements and service expectations.
• Procurement Execution & Compliance: Execute purchasing activities for assigned materials and supplies in accordance with established procurement policies, approved buying programs, and sourcing strategies.

What We’re Seeking

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Company will consider a currently enrolled college student with an anticipated graduation by end of current school year as qualified.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Expected Pay Range

The expected pay range for this position is $52,500 - $77,500 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations.