Buyer

Company Description

When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We're not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It's in our DNA. We've turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world's largest meat snack business, that's still proudly family owned and operated.

We're a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It’s a journey we share with you. It’s the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

 At Jack Link's Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World’s #1 Protein Snack Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link’s Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, BiFi, Peperami, Wild River, Golden Island and Country Fresh Meats

Job Description

The incumbent is responsible for researching and evaluating price, availability, quality, and warranties (as applicable). Places purchase orders for supplies, equipment, and services needed; keeping blanket orders in place for long lead time items, and new projects as they arise regarding inventory and new supply requirements. The Buyer meets with suppliers regularly to discuss delivery and quality issues. Works diligently to verify that all items required for production, maintenance, and packaging will arrive in sufficient timeliness to meet production schedules. Maintain minimum levels of inventoried items in order to accommodate insufficient warehouse space. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Safety: Perform all duties within OSHA and company safety standards; wear PPE and maintain safety equipment (as applicable). 
• Maintain a safe, clean and organized work area. 
• Immediately report all accidents and deficiencies to the management.
• Duties: 
• Identify what is required to package product on the production schedule; verify inventory needs. 
• Purchases all materials, equipment, supplies, and services for the plant in accordance with prescribed purchasing regulations and procedures. 
• Ensure all requirements are accurately entered into SAP - producing purchase orders and/or stock transfers. 
• Communication with vendors to order or release supplies ensuring weekly schedule demands are met on time. 
• Works with logistics to arrange transportation (as needed). 
• Check outside inventories each week as to what is warehoused at supplier’s facilities. 
• Place orders for items that require longer lead times such as film and caddies.
• Negotiate component pricing, order, release blanket purchase orders and schedule deliveries to ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining acceptable inventory levels. 
• Verify physical inventory, perform root cause analysis of inventory discrepancies and implement corrective action. 
• Review purchasing and receiving records; process invoices in a timely manner and ensure that discounts (if applicable) are applied. 
• Works closely with Accounting (A/P) to ensure invoices are accurate; research and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner. 
• Verify large swing items at period end. 
• Contacts suppliers on bad items and ensures that it is sent back, with the proper credit received. 
• Meets with vendors on a regular basis to discuss issues (i.e., bad supplies, outdated materials, new projects, shipping problems, etc.) 
• Keeps in contact with suppliers that have longer lead times to ensure materials are produced on time. 
• Receive inventory and supply requirements from appropriate supervisors on a weekly basis (as needed). 
• Set-up new vendors. 
• Is flexible to work hours beyond and/or outside regular schedule to ensure proper coverage for the position when needed. Performs duties in an independent manner with minimal direction. 
• General: 
• Must demonstrate the Jack Link’s Values: Be Real - Relationship Driven – Stewardship - Speed Matters - Self Discipline - Show Awesome Character.
• Suggest improvements; continuously improve the quality of all support activities. 
• Adhere to all company personnel policies. 
• Must be able to pass a drug screen. 
• Regular attendance is essential. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Other Requirements: 

• Ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment. 
• Ability to independently manage and organize individual projects and work as part of a team.                                                                                       

Language Skills/Mathematical Skills/Reasoning Ability

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and/or maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Strong verbal and written communication skills, spelling, and grammar in English. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

Knowledge of SAP preferred. Demonstrated proficiency of computers, office equipment and Microsoft Office suite.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees