Buyer

Reports to Procurement Manager

This role will ensure customer needs are met by purchasing an appropriate amount of product from authorized suppliers or distributors at the best possible terms and to ensure product safety, quality, and legality. Collaborate to ensure John R White commitment is met, allowing customers to get the quantity they desire, when they need it, without any hassle. The Buyer will be self-sufficient managing small to medium supplier negotiations, researching possible alternative item selection, and making strategic inventory system adjustments without needed supervision. The Buyer will handle moderate levels of category spend and complexity while acting as the primary contact for supplier inventory replenishment strategies for John R White.

Responsibilities

Purchasing Tasks:

• Placing purchase orders (Pos) at desired supplier min order targets
• Reviewing open orders to move up or push out based on targeted inventory levels and changes in customer forecasted demand
• Analyze and monitor sales records, trends, and economic conditions to anticipate customer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• In supply gap opportunities, locate alternative supply opportunities proactively to provide customers with alternatives.
• Arrange the best possible transportation for inbound product, at the least possible cost, while ensuring product is being carried by only authorized carriers who adhere to all product safety, quality, and legal requirements.
• Assist Customer Service, Accounting, Quality, and Warehouse operations in any research necessary to correct inventory issues and address customer complaints.

Manage Low/Mid Supplier Relationships

• Holding suppliers accountable for targeted service levels (On-Time, Fill Rate, Out of Spec, etc)
• Ensure suppliers are providing COA’s at time of shipment
• Requesting shelf-life extensions and initiating supplier returns
• Provide forecast updates to suppliers as needed
• Analyze market trends to recommend cost-save opportunities and ensure suppliers are appropriately passing down increases based on market drivers (Freight/Commodity/etc)
• Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and websites and consult with other department personnel to locate needed products from the best possible sources.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for product.
• Where required, negotiate and obtain written contracts with suppliers.

Other duties as assigned, including assigned back-up duties. This candidate will need to have an analytical and process-oriented mind with the ability to multi-task and assume responsibility for ad-hoc requests throughout the workday.

Requirements

• Critical thinking using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problems.
• Reading comprehension: understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Team participation – ability to successfully interact with coworkers to accomplish team and company goals while building healthy working relationships with them.
• Exceptional planning & organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail – excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer software in all aspects of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Great Plains Dynamics. Experience with purchasing software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is a plus.
• Positive work attitude that is professional, responsive, and welcoming.
• Demonstrated abilities of resourcefulness, flexibility, thinking with good judgment, initiative, and a strong work ethic.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• 3-5 years’ experience in a Buying, sourcing, or similar role
• Experience in the food industry a plus