Job Summary:
The Sr. Purchasing Specialist works with suppliers to ensure all required ingredients, packaging and supplies are on order or in stock. This includes gathering information regarding annual purchase volumes and dollars on core purchases and utilizing MRP to determine purchase requirements. The Sr. Purchasing Specialist issues and follows-up on purchase orders and reviews purchase volumes versus contracted quantities on ingredients and packaging.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Issue purchase orders for direct all items being used in Production.
• Negotiate pricing when needed and ensure that all ordered items will be delivered in a timely and accurate fashion from suppliers. In addition, act as primary point of contact for our suppliers and ensure that any issues are quickly and effectively communicated.
• Regularly monitor MRP and ERP systems to ensure all required items are on order or in inventory.
• Maintain MRP system by regularly reviewing and updating item card information: lead times, order multiples, minimum and maximum order quantities, etc.
• Obtain all necessary information from suppliers to complete the logistics process and serve as backup to the Inventory Control Specialist as needed.
• Manage returns and claims with vendors.
• Collect all necessary information and documentation from suppliers to facilitate item creation.
• Work alongside Inventory and Production Planning groups to ensure optimal levels of inventory are maintained.
• Collaborate with manager and Corporate Sourcing team on strategic purchasing initiatives.
• Work with suppliers to ensure all material information is available for Quality Assurance review and approval.
• Contact suppliers by telephone and email to keep up-to-date on opportunities for efficiencies and improvements.
• Regularly review actual purchases versus contract amounts to determine contract variance. Keep manager informed of potential issues resulting from exceeding or not meeting contracted amounts.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Safety Protocol
• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.Certification/Licensure Required:

• None

Skills Required:

• Demonstrate negotiation skills with third party vendors, record-keepers and administrators.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Dedication to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind.
• Ability to make decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Decisions administered soundly and consistently with policies and in compliance with appropriate laws and regulations.
• Result driven, bottom-line oriented, strives to exceed goals, and motivates self and others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, adapt to a changing environment quickly, and think independently.
• Exchange basic informational data (fill out forms/checklists, make own appointments, etc.); interview to gather information; advise others on alternatives/options; coach and counsel others; read, understand and explain technical data; compose business correspondence and reports, both routine and complex; attention to detail.
• Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook and field-specific software.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills, establish priorities, ability to multitask, and meet deadlines.
• Implement processes to organize and complete tasks, organize people and activities to support the process flow, ability to measure process success, insight to see opportunities for synergy and integration, and the aptitude to simplify complex processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

An Equal Opportunity Employer