Purchasing Agent (Buyer)

Purpose Statement

The Category Buyer manages assigned business categories to ensure delivery, quality, cost, and safety requirements are met while upholding company values across the supply base. This role is responsible for executing sourcing strategies, negotiating and maintaining supplier agreements, and driving cost savings and value improvements.

The Category Buyer owns relationships with regional and global suppliers, fosters continuous improvement, and proactively assesses and mitigates supply chain risk. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to align category strategies with business objectives and support innovation.

Experience in the food industry and familiarity with food ingredients is strongly preferred.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Strategic Sourcing & Savings
•    Develop and maintain a long-term sourcing roadmap that identifies key sourcing opportunities. Execute sourcing events by developing and launching RFI/RFPs, developing a negotiation strategy, negotiating with potential suppliers and executing contracts.
•    Optimize total cost of ownership by identifying cost savings and joint process improvements that help drive efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain.
•    Lead the identification and implementation of cost savings initiatives by working with internal business partners to understand the key business requirements, identifying capital requirements, developing business cases and being the Procurement lead for the implementation of the project.
•    For larger sourcing initiatives, utilize the 7-step sourcing process to lead a cross functional team to identify service and quality requirements, identify prospective vendors through the RFI process and develop business recommendations to optimize supply network and drive savings.
Supplier Relationship Management
•    Negotiates and maintains supplier agreements that provide the maximum total cost of ownership benefit through price, product quality protection, limitation of financial and supply risk, and optimization of supply chain requirements (i.e. lead times, order quantities, etc.)
•    Develop key supplier metrics that help drive consistent service levels from suppliers as well as timely action plans to address and resolve supply issues. Provide daily management of suppliers including Supply Chain support for: forecasting, pricing, invoicing and inventory levels. Conduct periodic supplier reviews and visits.
•    Develop and execute a strategy for assigned categories that aligns with short and long-term business goals and leverages Supplier Relationship Management best practices.
Financial Risk Management
•    Analyze and interpret market information for translation into the monthly forecasts, including future biases and identification of financial risks and opportunities.
•    Responsible for key financial analysis that supports the completion of critical reports including the monthly financial projection. Develop and present market reports to key stakeholders including executive leaders, business leads and customers.
•    Leverage financial risk management tools to develop a short and long-term risk management strategy for key commodities that drive category prices. Align risk management strategies with business unit strategies and risk profiles through proactive communication with business stakeholders.
•    Demonstrate a strong intellectual curiosity by identifying and evaluating new financial risk management tools that provide predictable pricing and maintain strong correlations to underlying markets.
•    Analyze and conceptualize complex financial problems to evaluate supplier proposals, interpret market conditions, and leverage technology to develop viable business solutions that drive efficiency and productivity within the department.
Business Support
•    · Support global partners by providing market expertise for shared markets, leveraging global suppliers to drive efficiencies and innovation, and collaborating on best practices.
Leadership
•    Provide leadership to other team members to mentor on and develop business best practices for processes such as Supplier Relationship Management, financial and supplier risk mitigation, and negotiations.
•    Be an advocate for Procurement's key business commitments including acting with a sense urgency, effectively communicating with key stakeholders, understanding the voice of customer and demonstrating leadership as the subject matter expert.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Education and Experience

• · Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field with a minimum 4-5 years job related experience; or a Master’s degree in related field with minimum 3 years job related experience
• · Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and deliver measurable cost savings.
• · Skilled in supplier management, sourcing strategy execution, and risk mitigation. Experience analyzing market trends and supplier proposals to inform strategic decisions and mitigate risk.
• · Strong background in leveraging ERP or data systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba) and analytical tools to drive data-driven decisions.
• · Familiarity with sustainability initiatives and compliance requirements within the food supply chain is a plus.
• · Strong computer skills, including Excel, Word, Teams, and ERP systems (SAP, Ariba).
• · Familiarity with AI tools and ability to leverage technology for data-driven decisions.

Travel

• Occasional Travel (up to 15%)

Competency

• · Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: Ability to execute structured sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• · Supplier Management: Skilled in building relationships and driving supplier performance.
• · Financial Acumen: Understand cost drivers, market dynamics, and risk mitigation strategies.
• · Technology Proficiency: Comfortable using digital platforms and analytical tools.
• · Collaboration & Communication: Strong ability to engage stakeholders and influence decisions.

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