Benson's Bakery Purchasing Manager
Benson's Bakery offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for all full-time employees. We offer vacation, holiday pay, free single coverage health insurance + company paid life insurance, disability insurance, dental and vision insurance, 401K.
Position Summary
Responsible for managing strategic, tactical and administrative purchasing activities for assigned spend categories including the purchase order management and receiving process, sourcing, negotiations, contract management, supplier relationship management and inventory management.
Position Responsibilities/Duties
- Execute material purchases to ensure uninterrupted supply of ingredients and/or packaging materials while monitoring quality, cost and service metrics.
- Research and negotiate best price, while maintaining established quality, service and delivery requirements for assigned ingredient and/or packaging categories.
- Establish risk mitigation strategies to minimize any concerns with materials, supply, delivery, or supplier relationships.
- Demonstrate full knowledge as the subject matter expert for assigned categories; establish both short and long-term sourcing and supply strategies.
- Oversee the development and execution of contracts and supply agreements.
- Establish annual budget plans and set standard costs for assigned purchased materials.
- Manage supplier relationships ensuring competitive pricing, quality, service and continuity of supply; evaluate supplier capabilities and establish/source approved suppliers for new materials dictated by business requirements.
- Negotiate and implement cost-saving programs with suppliers, such as volume-based discounts, better payment terms, lead time improvements, specification changes, etc.
- Monitor supplier performance and compliance with contractual agreements; resolve issues and exceptions in a timely manner.
- Support food safety program, quality standards, BRC compliance and product integrity.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Experience and Qualifications
- 5+ years of purchasing experience with at least 3 years of hands on purchasing of direct materials (ingredients/packaging) in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Strong negotiation, contract management and supplier relationship management skills.
- Food manufacturing experience and familiarity with regulatory requirements, product specifications, Certificates of Analysis and BRC/AIB compliance.
- Proven experience managing daily purchasing, receiving and inventory activities (purchase order generation and delivery, receiving, monitor inventory, schedule inbound deliveries, expedite orders, etc.)
- Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office with proficient skills in Excel; experience with ERP Systems (Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards, Great Plains, SAP, ECT)
- Strong quantitative, analytical and problem solving skills.
- Strong technical, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively communicate with multi-level personnel as well as suppliers, customers, and their representatives.
- Ability to work cross-functionally across the organization and with suppliers.
- Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to think quickly and handle frequent change.
- Self-motivated, goal oriented, quality driven, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.