Complex Purchasing Manager

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Responsible for general procurement, implementation of purchasing strategies, and management of supplier relationships. Other areas of responsibility include purchasing of materials and services, implementation/management of contracts including contract negotiation and supporting corporate initiatives, as well approval of suppliers and inventory control.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Manage supplier purchase order maintenance, and support maintenance initiatives.
• Analyze current plant purchasing by product type, and develop/support strategies to reduce costs.
• Work with corporate and plant management, accounting, and maintenance to achieve cost savings goals.
• Negotiate supplier contracts to achieve optimum product costs.
• Work directly with scheduling or accounting ensuring established product cost goals are achieved.
• Supervise and train support staff.
• Develop, implement and manage purchasing standard operating procedures.
• Maintain 5S program.
• Ensure supply trailers are managed efficiently.
• Manage plant parts room and reduce/minimize inventory.
• Manage bids, quotes, pricing, and contracts for the Plant, Feed Mill, Hatchery and Truck Shop.
• Work with Plant Management and Product Management to eliminate redundancy and manage inventory, including MRO, packaging, and ingredients.
• Build and develop relationships with key suppliers.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a Leader of People position with required competencies: Sizing up People, Delegation, Planning, Customer Focus and Conflict Management.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
• 3-5 years relevant purchasing experience in a similar production environment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Material Management, Logistics Management, Supply Chain or related field from an accredited institution.
• American Production & Inventory Control Society (APICS) certification
• 1+ years experience within the food manufacturing industry.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Proven supplier contract implementation ability.
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and ownership of projects.
• Experience with daily functions of ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient with Lotus SmartSuite and Microsoft applications.
• General knowledge of Production Scheduling/Planning management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly effective interpersonal communication skills sufficient to communicate and interact effectively with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to work in fast paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Ability to handle and resolve most issues independently.
• High work capacity, dependable, results oriented and strong sense of urgency.
• Demonstrated sound work ethic, honesty and moral character.

REQUIRED PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

• Understand and interpret data while drawing logical conclusions based on available inputs.
• Critical thinking skills in standardized situations as well as non-routine problems.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and prioritize work accordingly.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Follow departmental and company safety policies and programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work in extreme temperatures, frequently subject to extreme wet and cold, as well as hot and humid environments.
• Subject to odors and areas with moderate to extreme levels of noise.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Bending, twisting, climbing, stacking, pushing and standing for long periods of time.
• Occasional weekend and off-shift work required.