Buyer

Source materials, supplies, and services to support production schedules and operational requirements. Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers; evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, and service levels. Research and identify new suppliers to improve pricing, quality, reliability, and overall procurement efficiency. Negotiate pricing, contracts, and service agreements to achieve cost savings and operational improvements. Create and manage RFPs and other strategic sourcing initiatives as needed. Coordinate vendor audits and supplier performance reviews in partnership with Quality Assurance teams. Resolve purchasing, delivery, invoicing, and payment discrepancies in a timely manner. Maintain and support the accuracy of ERP/MRP purchasing and inventory data. Ensure adherence to internal procurement policies, procedures, and compliance standards. Manage the complete purchase order lifecycle, including PO creation, supplier acknowledgment, order tracking, delivery coordination, receipt verification, and issue resolution to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment. Lead supplier onboarding activities, including vendor qualification, risk assessments, documentation collection, and coordination with Quality and Compliance teams to ensure all regulatory and operational standards are met before approval. Food Safety & Compliance Responsibilities Comply with all applicable OSHA, EPA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, and other regulatory requirements. Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and company food safety procedures. Support ongoing food safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives. Reporting Structure Reports to Purchasing Management. No direct reports. Qualifications Minimum 4+ years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment. Experience within food & beverage, consumer products, agriculture, or related manufacturing industries strongly preferred. Proven negotiation, vendor management, and strategic sourcing experience. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels of an organization. High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential information. Experience working with ERP/MRP systems; Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Navision experience is a plus. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Experience analyzing and improving procurement processes, policies, and operational procedures. Creative thinker with a proactive approach to continuous improvement and cost optimization.