Job Type
Full-time
Position Summary:The Senior Micro Ingredient Buyer is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, and inventory management of micro-ingredients, additives, vitamins, trace minerals, and amino acids required for feed manufacturing. This high-impact role ensures uninterrupted production flow while optimizing costs, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring strict compliance with quality and food safety standards (FSMA, GFSI). This position reports to the Director of Sourcing.
Requirements
What You'll Do:Strategic Sourcing & Procurement- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for micro-ingredients to ensure cost-effectiveness, supply continuity, and quality.
- Negotiate volume, pricing, payment terms, and contracts with suppliers for additives, vitamins, and minerals.
- Identify alternative, cost-saving ingredients or new suppliers to reduce total landed cost.
- Conduct market analysis to monitor pricing volatility, trends, and supply risks.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)- Manage key supplier relationships, conducting performance reviews (scorecards) on quality, delivery, and service.
- Audit and evaluate new potential suppliers through the company's Vendor Qualification Program.
- Address and resolve supplier issues relating to shortages, damaged goods, or quality discrepancies.
Inventory & Demand Management- Coordinate with Production Planning to maintain optimal stock levels, ensuring zero stock outs and minimizing inventory holding costs.
- Manage inventory levels to align with shelf life, storage capacities, and production demand.
- Coordinate inter-facility transfers of raw materials.
Quality & Compliance- Ensure all procured ingredients meet internal specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with the Food, Safety and Quality team to ensure proper certification and documentation (Certificate of Analysis, etc.).
What You'll Bring:- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, with a strong preference for experience in feed, food, or additive manufacturing.
- Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., JDE) and Microsoft Excel.
- Solid understanding of ingredient procurement, commodity pricing, and supply chain logistics for animal feed manufacturing.
- Proven ability to negotiate and manage high-value contracts.
- Strong analytical skills to analyze Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
- Ability to work cross-functionally with QA, R&D, and Production teams.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead and mentor junior team members.
What Makes You a Great Fit:- Advanced analytical skills: ability to collect and analyze data and problem-solve
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Cross-functional team member who has a passion for animal nutrition
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite Products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, etc.)
Salary Description
$90,000 - 105,000
