3500 Buyer

Mt Olive Pickle Company•Mount Olive, NC

About The Position

The Buyer purchases component materials to meet short- and long-term production demand. The role applies Min/Max, EOQ, and other purchasing methods to optimize component costs through pricing and volume decisions, maintain adequate inventory to support production, and maximize cash flow. The Buyer works with the Director of Purchasing, Production Planning, suppliers, and other internal stakeholders to coordinate purchasing, resolve material issues, and support production requirements. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management or a related subject.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Strong personal computer skills.
Solid business math skills.
Ability to understand computerized purchasing systems and how system transactions affect financial reports.
Ability to speak, read, and write English.

Responsibilities

Procure packaging components, spices, ingredients, and other required materials at the best overall cost to the company.
Prepare and issue purchase orders, place orders with approved vendors, and maintain accurate purchasing records.
Obtain and compare supplier quotations, evaluating unit price, purchase volume, freight, and other relevant costs.
Develop purchasing recommendations for the Director of Purchasing based on cost, demand, and supplier considerations.
Recommend order quantities that balance pricing opportunities, volume requirements, and anticipated consumption.
Recommend and maintain appropriate minimum and maximum inventory levels using production schedules, demand requirements, and EOQ principles.
Coordinate timely ordering of components, spices, and ingredients to support production schedules and prevent interruptions.
Monitor order status and follow up with suppliers to confirm delivery dates and expedite shipments when necessary.
Maintain supplier contact records, including locations, key contacts, shipping hours, and emergency numbers, to support business continuity and disaster recovery.
Develop and maintain a supplier performance evaluation process covering delivery, quality, responsiveness, and service.
Communicate with vendors, customer service representatives, and internal stakeholders to resolve purchasing and delivery issues.
Maintain material catalogs and supporting documentation, including specifications, drawings, and photographs, in accordance with SQF requirements.
Liaise between company representatives and suppliers to communicate, investigate, and resolve nonconforming material issues.
Support corrective actions and follow-up to help ensure materials meet established quality and operational requirements.
Coordinate purchasing activities with the Director of Purchasing and Production Planning Department in support of production needs and departmental priorities.
Carry out assigned responsibilities in accordance with written and verbal instructions and perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.