Buyer Assistant

Position Title: Buyer / Sr. Buyer

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Classification: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Work Schedules: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Summary

A growing food manufacturer is looking for an experienced Buyer or Senior Buyer to join its Procurement and Purchasing team. You will own purchasing for raw materials, ingredients and packaging from planning through delivery. That means forecasting material needs, sourcing and negotiating with suppliers, managing purchase orders and preventing shortages that could affect production. The team uses BatchMaster ERP today and is moving to Aptean next year, so you will play a key role in a new system implementation. This is a great opportunity for a proactive supply chain professional who wants to make a visible impact in a growing food manufacturing operation. The level (Buyer or Senior Buyer) will depend on experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Plan material purchases based on the production schedule, forecasts, inventory levels and lead times, keeping production supplied without excess inventory
• Create, issue and manage purchase orders in the ERP system (BatchMaster, moving to Aptean), including confirmations, changes and ETA updates
• Source and qualify suppliers for raw materials, ingredients and packaging, and request and evaluate quotes
• Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times and minimum order quantities to meet cost and service goals
• Manage supplier relationships and track supplier performance on on-time delivery, quality and responsiveness
• Track open POs, expedite late or at-risk shipments and resolve supply issues before they affect production
• Spot shortage risks early and build recovery plans with suppliers and internal teams
• Work with Production Planning, Receiving, Inventory Control and Quality on material needs, discrepancies and supplier issues
• Coordinate samples, new materials, packaging changes and supplier approvals with the relevant teams
• Keep pricing, item and supplier data accurate and current in the ERP system
• Prepare and maintain purchasing reports, such as open PO, spend and supplier performance reports
• Find opportunities to reduce costs and improve purchasing processes
• Take an active role in the move from BatchMaster to Aptean, including data validation, process design and user testing
• At the Senior Buyer level, also lead strategic sourcing projects, handle more complex negotiations and mentor team members
• Take on other purchasing and supply chain duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

• 3+ years of purchasing, procurement or supply chain experience as a Buyer or in a similar role (5+ years for Senior Buyer consideration)
• Proven experience with material planning, PO management and supplier management
• Experience negotiating pricing and terms with suppliers
• Hands-on experience with an ERP or MRP system
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, such as VLOOKUP and pivot tables
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage several priorities at once
• Clear written and verbal communication with suppliers and internal teams
• Self-motivated and able to work independently

Preferred:

• Experience in manufacturing or the food industry, especially purchasing ingredients and packaging
• Experience with BatchMaster, Aptean or a similar process-manufacturing ERP
• Experience with an ERP system conversion or implementation
• Knowledge of food safety and supplier approval requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business or a related field
• APICS/ASCM (CPIM) or ISM certification

At Staffmark, we connect hardworking people with great companies, creating opportunities that make a lasting impact.

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