Buyer / Procurement Specialist

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory • Durango, CO

54d • $70,000 - $85,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Buyer is responsible for sourcing raw materials, packaging, office supplies and requisitioned items for our chocolate and candy product lines, managing supplier relationships, and overseeing the setup and optimization of MRP/ERP systems. This role requires strong critical thinking, organizational, and planning skills, and a deep understanding of procurement best practices within a manufacturing environment.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in procurement or buying within food manufacturing, ideally in the chocolate, candy, or confectionery industry.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, including setup, use, and optimization.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Experience working on contracts, LOIs, and vendor agreements.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of commodity markets (cocoa, sugar, dairy, etc.) is a plus.
• Experience working with, or in, Accounts Payable is a plus.
• Preference given to bachelor's degree with related education and professional certifications (e.g., CSPM, CPIM).

Responsibilities

• Utilize MRP to purchase materials for production demand. Ensure materials come in a timely manner. Communicate with production planning if there are delays or availability issues.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels to support production schedules while minimizing waste and cost. Have a strong sensitivity for shelf life.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and system data integrity in ERP tools. Analyze and evaluate MRP data and recommendations; identifies discrepancies and suggests or implements adjustments to optimize purchasing decisions.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with FDA regulations, Kosher certification standards, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
• Monitor commodity market trends to support sourcing strategies and cost forecasting.
• Source, negotiate, and manage contracts for raw materials (e.g., cocoa, sugar, dairy) and packaging components. Support contract creation, review, and negotiation in coordination with the Finance, Legal and Compliance teams.
• Collaborate with Production Planning, R&D, and Quality to ensure timely and cost-effective sourcing for current and new products which are introduced seasonally.
• Maintain a strong attention to detail to ensure accurate and timely information flow between cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Accounts Payable, Cost Analysts, Vendors, Receiving, Inventory, and Logistics.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives for cost savings, service and quality improvement.
• Follow instructions, take effective notes, and utilize training materials to work independently.
• Participate in Operations team meetings on behalf of the Procurement Manager.

Benefits

• Low-cost Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance w/ options for spouse/dependent coverage
• Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, and Short-Term/Long-Term Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Employee Discounts
• Wait periods apply

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Food Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees