Procurement Manager

Position Summary:

The Procurement Manager oversees sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management for multiple manufacturing facilities. This leadership role is responsible for developing and executing strategic procurement initiatives to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of raw materials, packaging, and indirect supplies. Candidates must provide strong leadership as a key point of contact between our plants and our suppliers.  A key focus of this role is implementing process control measures to standardize procurement workflows, enhance supplier performance, and ensure consistency across all facilities. Additionally, this role will focus on leveraging data analytics for decision-making, and implementing cost-saving initiatives while maintaining compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Complete the replenishment review of required stocking levels for ingredients and packaging in designated plants (maintain first expired-first out (FEFO).
• Lead and determine root cause analysis to identify material inefficiencies in partnership with operations.
• Execute release orders to approved suppliers based on existing purchasing contracts, track confirmations, follow up on orders and expedite shipments as necessary to maintain inventory levels within the guidelines.
• Using statistical analysis, work closely with manufacturing and other cross functional partners across the business to identify and resolve issues and opportunities relating to material deviations and cost-saving opportunities.
• Key contact person between bakeries and suppliers for all direct materials.
• Execute purchase orders in SAP and track confirmations to ensure timely receipt of ingredients and packaging into bakeries.
• Utilizing forecast planning documents, manage packaging and ingredients transitions as a result of innovation, packaging re-design, promotional activity and product transfers.
• Collaborate with operations to analyze and report out of the difference between the Theoretical and Real consumptions.
• Track and expedite incoming orders as needed to ensure continued production at the plants.
• Communicate risks and opportunities and escalate where required.
• Manage weekly physical inventory counts of raw materials and finished goods.

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Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Familiarity with the operations of all plant departments: production, quality, maintenance, materials management, and food safety.
• Demonstrated track record of leading the improvement of operations while delivering day to day performance.
• Ability to analyze data using various operating systems and programs.
• Demonstrated experience building a strong analytics team.
• The ability to effectively manage team members in distant locations.
• Knowledge of commonly used process control and improvement tools.
• Knowledge of safety related issues including compliance with State, Federal and Local regulations. 
• Labor relations experience.

Education and Work History:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.  A combination of education, training and experience that results in demonstrated competency to perform the work may be substituted.  
• 5 years of hands-on purchasing experience (in a manufacturing environment is preferred).  
• Excellent interpersonal & problem-solving skills, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel, SAP, and Outlook
• Comfortable with change; adaptable
• Team player able to work in a high volume, fast paced & time sensitive environment
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate to solve issues
• Travel to plants is required (25%)

Physical Demands: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Able to use a variety of communication methods on frequent basis.  
• Use a notebook computer and standard office equipment printers,  phone etc.  
• Able to sit, stand, stoop and have use of hand motor coordination regularly.  
• Use various forms of transportation for extended periods of time on periodic basis.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40lbs as needed.