Senior Purchasing Manager

JOB TITLE: Senior Purchasing Manager
LOCATION: Operations
REPORTS TO: Supply Chain Manager

JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE: The Senior Purchasing Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing the procurement of raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies used in the production of specialized food ingredients. This role ensures materials are procured at optimal cost, quality, and service levels while maintaining strong supplier relationships and supporting production continuity.

The Senior Purchasing Specialist works closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and R&D teams to ensure materials meet regulatory, quality, and operational requirements while driving continuous improvement in procurement processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Source and procure raw materials, functional ingredients, and packaging components used in food ingredient manufacturing.
• Negotiate pricing, supply agreements, and contract terms with suppliers to ensure competitive costs and reliable supply.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to support business growth and supply chain resilience.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for key ingredient categories.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, pricing, service, and delivery.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address supply disruptions, cost changes, and quality concerns.
• Conduct supplier reviews and support supplier improvement initiatives.

Inventory & Supply Planning Support

• Partner with planning and operations teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels of critical materials.
• Weekly update of the demand forecasts and adjust purchasing plans to support production schedules.
• Manage purchase orders and track order fulfilment to ensure on-time delivery.
• Run the MRP report twice a week

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure purchased materials meet food safety and compliance standards.
• Support R&D and product development by sourcing new or alternative ingredients.
• Collaborate with Finance to track purchasing costs, variances, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Weekly update of the Cost Report
• Prepare a weekly Procurement Meeting presentation with market intelligence, supply risks and trends, costs comparison vs. budget.

Cost Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, and contract negotiations.
• Analyze purchasing data to improve procurement efficiency and supplier performance.
• Support supply chain initiatives to improve sourcing processes and reduce risk.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure supplier documentation and specifications meet company and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier agreements, and procurement documentation.
• Support supplier audits and qualification processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Food Science, or a related field.

• 5-8+ years of purchasing or procurement experience, preferably within food manufacturing or ingredient sourcing.
• Experience purchasing food ingredients, raw materials, or packaging materials.
• Familiarity with supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost analysis.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements related to ingredient sourcing.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing software.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.