This position is responsible for meeting all purchasing needs of the company, including planning, requisition review, supplier selection, order placement and order follow up for all raw materials, packaging materials, office supplies, and any other needs the company may have. This position requires effective supplier relations in addition to a strong purchasing background within a manufacturing environment. This position supervises the Purchasing Assistant.

This role is located onsite in Hollister, CA.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements purchasing strategies that align with business objectives.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality standards.
• Reviews and processes all purchase orders for the company per MRP system and customer requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with stakeholders to forecast demand.
• Assesses current inventory levels, evaluates current orders, and reviews historical trends to determine sufficient order quantities for raw materials and packaging.
• Minimizes purchase order quantity by consolidating products from each vendor whenever possible and ensuring that adequate quantities are ordered to maximize efficiencies (i.e. reduce freight costs, reduce processing time for purchase orders, and Receiving and Accounts Payable’s time are minimized).
• Monitors and expedites all open orders, updating/amending purchase order(s) as required.
• Utilizes appropriate resources and available reports to ensure timely delivery of product and appropriate lead times per MRP and customer requirements.
• Ensure lead-times and other critical planning parameters are periodically updated to reflect changes in the supply base and material usage patterns.
• Sources alternate vendors for “critical” items, and those used daily so that we always have a back-up supplier.
• Analyzes suppliers to ensure they are providing consistent quality, consistent cost, on-time delivery, and delivery in full.
• Conducts semi-annual (every six months) Strategic Supplier Reviews.
• Manages supplier performance (Price, Delivery and Quality) and initiates corrective actions where appropriate.
• Troubleshoots and resolves invoicing errors with vendors, receiving discrepancies, and returns related to Quality issues in a timely manner.
• Obtains all appropriate documentation from vendors, including product specifications, kosher certification, organic certification, third party audit information, GMO statement, and any other necessary documentation as requested.
• Works with Quality Department with emphasis on the timely disposition of defective materials and corrective actions to eliminate recurring discrepancies.
• ·Negotiates and coordinates returns with vendors.
• Research and source suppliers.

Required Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:  Minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing, preferably in the food manufacturing industry.

Skills:  Strong negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills. Proficiency in inventory management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Knowledge:  In-depth understanding of supply chain management, procurement processes, and market dynamics in the food industry.

Personal Qualities

Leadership – Proven success in leading high-performance teams, achieving results through others, and being a strong team player

Innovative thinking – Ability to lead innovative and/or transformative projects and strives for continuous improvements

Analytical thinking - Exceptional ability to analyze data and utilize it to make sound business decisions

Customer oriented – Demonstrate strong focus on customer service and client satisfaction while maintaining high ethics and professional integrity in all interactions

Conflict management and resolution skills - Build consensus, anticipate and solve problems

Results focused – Ability to organize and manage multiple, and at times competing priorities

Communication skills – Demonstrate strong communication and collaboration skills necessary to lead and manage teams and projects effectively

Relationship building skills – Ability to work within a dynamic team setting and provide leadership to build and develop strong teams.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment

This position involves working in a temperature-controlled office environment with standard office hours. However, occasional visits to the food manufacturing plant may be required, where employees must adhere to strict safety and hygiene protocols.

Pay Range

The target salary range for this position is $85,000-$95,000/annually. The actual rate offered will depend on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, years of relevant experience.