Purchasing Buyer/Expediter/Planner

About the role

The Buyer is responsible for the procurement of diversified categories at the lowest total cost. The Corporate Buyer shares responsibility for performing, reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating audits to ensure accuracy and compliance. The Corporate Buyer helps ensure that plant purchasing departments are functioning at a high level, coordinates raw material planning for major sales account activity, and serves as back-up to the plant Purchasing Manager.

Responsibilities

• Purchase categories with an emphasis on strategizing and implementing cost reduction activities, quality improvement, on-time delivery, inventory reduction, lead-time reduction, and customer focus.
• Source new suppliers as required for new and existing categories.
• Determine the best source of supply by evaluating price, quality, manufacturing capabilities, lead time, service support, and financial stability.
• Develop and establish multiple sources as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date commercial and contractual knowledge of the marketplace and methods adopted by peer groups to ensure best practices are continually developed and utilized.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on the total cost of ownership.
• Conduct audits of plant purchasing practices for efficiency and compliance with corporate guidelines, including reviewing monthly excess and write-off reports, random purchase history for best practices, and monitoring compliance with company goals.
• Analyze monthly plant inventory reports, payable discrepancy reports, and/or missed ship date reports.
• Function as corporate liaison to Newly Weds Foods plants.
• Train plant Purchasing Managers in corrective measures as noted in their respective audits and train new hires/acquisition staff.
• Perform administrative functions including editing/updating purchasing manuals and procedures, maintaining the Purchasing Document Library and Database, and assisting with the organization of conferences.
• Plan new major domestic account promotions, product introductions, and large plant transfers.
• Function as back-up to a plant Purchasing Manager as required.
• Work collaboratively cross-functionally.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in Corporate Purchasing or related discipline.
• Food buying experience required.
• Packaging buying, food manufacturing, and background in a manufacturing system experience a plus.
• Strong communication, analytical abilities, and organization skills.
• General knowledge of Adobe applications, Microsoft Office, and Lotus Notes.

Work Environment

• General office setting.
• Domestic and/or international travel as required by category assignment and audit schedule.
• Periodic exposure to loud environments and airborne particles with stronger odors associated with spicy food ingredients.