PRIMARY FUNCTION:                     

Responsible for general procurement, implementation of purchasing strategies, and management of supplier relationships. Other areas of responsibility include purchasing of materials and services, implementation/management of contracts including contract negotiation and supporting corporate initiatives, as well approval of suppliers and inventory control.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:                        

• Manage supplier purchase order maintenance, and support maintenance initiatives.
• Analyze current plant purchasing by product type, and develop/support strategies to reduce costs.
• Work with corporate and plant management, accounting, and maintenance to achieve cost savings goals.
• Negotiate supplier contracts to achieve optimum product costs.
• Work directly with scheduling or accounting ensuring established product cost goals are achieved.
• Supervise and train support staff.
• Develop, implement and manage purchasing standard operating procedures.
• Maintain 5S program.
• Ensure supply trailers are managed efficiently.
• Manage plant parts room and reduce/minimize inventory.
• Manage bids, quotes, pricing, and contracts for the Plant, Feed Mill, Hatchery and Truck Shop.
• Work with Plant Management and Product Management to eliminate redundancy and manage inventory, including MRO, packaging, and ingredients.
• Build and develop relationships with key suppliers.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 3 - 5 direct reports
• This is a Leader of People position with required competencies:  Sizing up People, Delegation, Planning, Customer Focus and Conflict Management.

  MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
• 3-5 years relevant purchasing experience in a similar production environment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Material Management, Logistics Management, Supply Chain or related field from an accredited institution.
• American Production & Inventory Control Society (APICS) certification
• 1+ years experience within the food manufacturing industry.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Proven supplier contract implementation ability.
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and ownership of projects.
• Experience with daily functions of ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient with Lotus SmartSuite and Microsoft applications.
• General knowledge of Production Scheduling/Planning management experience.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly effective interpersonal communication skills sufficient to communicate and interact effectively with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to work in fast paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Ability to handle and resolve most issues independently.
• High work capacity, dependable, results oriented and strong sense of urgency.
• Demonstrated sound work ethic, honesty and moral character.

REQUIRED PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:

• Understand and interpret data while drawing logical conclusions based on available inputs.
• Critical thinking skills in standardized situations as well as non-routine problems.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and prioritize work accordingly.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

• Follow departmental and company safety policies and programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work in extreme temperatures, frequently subject to extreme wet and cold, as well as hot and humid environments.
• Subject to odors and areas with moderate to extreme levels of noise.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Bending, twisting, climbing, stacking, pushing and standing for long periods of time.
• Occasional weekend and off-shift work required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.