Buyer II

Buyer II Cerritos, CA Job Details $85,000 - $100,000 a year 12 hours ago Qualifications Vendor relationship building Procurement category management Stakeholder engagement Market analysis Category management Inventory management 5 years ERP systems Bachelor's degree in business Purchase order management Risk mitigation strategy implementation Improving operational efficiency Analysis skills Developing strategic sourcing strategies Bachelor's degree Continuous improvement Vendor relationship management Organizational skills Contracts Vendor contract management Pivot tables Procurement contract negotiation Manufacturing Senior level Cross-functional collaboration Business Demand planning Supply Chain Management Communication skills Stakeholder relationship building Cross-functional communication Supply chain collaboration Excel data analysis Stakeholder management Full Job Description Buyer II (Senior Buyer) - Commodity & Contract Management Position Overview The Buyer II (Senior Buyer) is responsible for end-to-end management of assigned ingredient categories, with a primary focus on commodity-based sourcing and contract execution. This role leads supplier strategy, negotiates commercial terms, and ensures contract alignment with business demand across manufacturing and distribution operations. The ideal candidate brings strong market awareness of commodity-driven categories and can translate supply/demand dynamics into effective sourcing strategies, while maintaining rigorous contract governance and supplier accountability. Core Responsibilities Commodity & Category Management Own assigned ingredient categories, managing sourcing strategy across commodity driven markets. Monitor market trends, cost drivers, and supply dynamics to inform purchasing decisions and pricing strategies. Develop and execute sourcing plans that balance cost, service, and risk mitigation. Identify and qualify alternative supply sources to ensure continuity and competitiveness. Contract Management & Execution Lead administration of supplier contracts, including pricing structures, volumes, lead times, and service expectations. Ensure alignment between supplier contracts and customer demand (contracted and noncontracted business). Track contract balances, usage rates, and expiration timelines to prevent supply gaps or excess exposure. Coordinate contract execution across internal stakeholders, ensuring adherence to terms and timely replenishment. Procurement Operations & Planning Translate demand signals (forecast, sales, production) into actionable purchasing plans. Ensure all confirmed pricing updates are reflected in ERP and communicated to relevant stakeholders to maintain financial accuracy and margin integrity. Monitor supplier order confirmations to ensure alignment with purchase orders, including quantity, timing, and pricing, to support accurate and timely 3-way match (PO, receipt, invoice) processes. Proactively resolve discrepancies between PO and supplier confirmations, partnering with AP and operations to prevent invoice holds and payment delays. Manage inventory positions to support service levels while minimizing excess and obsolescence. Ensure purchase orders are placed accurately and in alignment with contractual obligations and lead times. Proactively manage and resolve supply disruptions, short shipments, and service failures. Supplier Relationship Management Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships to support long-term continuity and cost competitiveness. Conduct regular supplier performance reviews, focusing on service, quality, and responsiveness. Lead price alignment discussions with suppliers when confirmation pricing deviates from contracted or expected terms, including negotiating adjustments due to market-driven increases or errors. Partner with suppliers on continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and capacity planning. Cross-Functional Coordination Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Logistics, and Finance to align purchasing decisions with business priorities. Support new item setup and onboarding of new suppliers, ensuring required documentation and compliance. Provide clear communication on risks, delays, and supply constraints, including recommended mitigation actions. Analytics & Continuous Improvement Analyze purchasing data to identify cost savings, service improvements, and process efficiencies. Contribute to process standardization and Procurement best practices across the organization. Required Skills & Competencies Strong understanding of commodity purchasing and market-driven pricing environments Experience with supplier contract negotiation and lifecycle management Ability to manage multiple SKUs within a category tied to shared supply sources or contracts Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable decisions Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills Proven ability to operate in a fast paced, execution focused environment High attention to detail, particularly in contract terms, pricing, and supply alignment Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, data analysis) Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience) 5+ years of experience in procurement, with exposure to commodity-based sourcing and contract management Experience supporting manufacturing, ingredient sourcing, or multilocation distribution environments preferred