Job Title: Raw Material Ingredients Buyer
Reports To: Director of Procurement
Department / Group: Procurement
Position Type: Full-Time
Location: Preferred: San Antonio, TX (Glenview, IL and Remote Option Considered)
Exemption Status: Exempt
Travel Required: Yes, 25%
Job Summary:In this role, you will be responsible for procuring Raw Material Ingredients for our coffee and juice products. This role requires understanding of the supply base that comprises the Food and Beverage sector of the CPG industry. The ideal candidate is both analytically strong and operationally grounded. This person will create and execute strategies to optimize value, reduce costs, manage inventory, create and maintain pricing transparency, drive supplier innovation, ensure supply continuity, work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, and maintain/develop strong supplier relationships.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Develop comprehensive category strategy inclusive of spend analytics, identifying buy patterns, current and/or new supply partners to support company objectives.
- Monitor market and pricing trends and related cost drivers to manage risks and ensure competitive costs advantage. Provide regular updates to leadership on market dynamics.
- Negotiate contract types (spot buys, annual and other coverage agreements) and terms with suppliers in compliance with food-grade specifications, regulatory requirements and Finlay Solution standards and policies.
- Issue purchase orders, resolve supplier issues, and verify contract terms (i.e. pricing, quantities, and delivery) are met.
- Monitor Inventory and collaborate with supply chain, production and warehouse teams to prevent shortages or overstock.
- Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers, ensuring supplier KPIs and competitive pricing are achieved.
- Collaborate with R&D, SRM and Quality on new product sourcing, supplier approvals and sustainability goals.
- Support audits and regulatory inspections by providing procurement and/or supplier documentation.
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications & Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, agricultural economics, finance, or business administration.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Minimum 5 years of experience managing raw material ingredient purchases on a multi-unit global scale in the Food and Beverage sector of the CPG industry.
- Understanding and use of commodity market data and trends to make informed purchasing decisions and cost-saving initiatives.
- Understanding of total cost of ownership principles, price transparency, and continuous improvement strategies to ensure competitive market-based pricing.
- Strong analytical skills, including cost benchmarking and developing data-driven recommendations.
- Experience with ERP systems; D365 is desirable.
Physical Demands- Willingness to work additional hours, and tailor schedule appropriately, to support team goals and meet deadlines
- Must possess adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly perform physical tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and using hands for detailed tasks
- Work environment sometimes involves exposure to inclement weather
- Physically capable of performing tasks such as lifting, climbing, and using hand and power tools, including pallet jacks, scales, ladders, and standard material handling and cleaning equipment
- Capable of safely lifting up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the day; ability to handle heavier items with proper lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques to ensure safety
Work Environment- Employees must be able to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment that may include exposure to odors, dust, moderate noise levels, and fluctuations in temperature and ventilation
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, which may include but is not limited to: safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, gloves, hairnets, uniforms, and face shields, as required by specific job duties and safety protocols
Quality Statement: - Our Quality and Food Safety Management strategy is anchored by our food safety and quality culture and a two-pronged approach to "be the best" as we produce "only the best". Every employee has a role to play in this strategy as outlined by the following:
- Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), allergen control, food defense, HACCP, SQF, and regulatory requirements so that we make consistently safe, quality products.
- Ensure the presence of visitors, contractors, and customers are documented on each visit in and out of the facility to maintain good manufacturing practices, allergen controls, food defense/food security and HACCP controls.
- Report all food safety and quality issues to management immediately.
- Partner with colleagues across all functions to share knowledge, skills, and information regarding quality and food safety.
- Adhere to all health and safety work practices.
- Exhibit an understanding of quality and food safety standards and be able to speak about the Finlays quality and food safety system and your role in it.
- Handle customer complaints in a timely and professional manner so that the customer is put first, always.
- Participate fully in Finlays programs that drive continuous improvement methodologies.
Any employee in doubt as to the role they play in the Finlays quality and food safety management system must reach out to the site Quality Manager or VP of Quality.
