Buyer - Berkeley, IL

Whitsons Culinary Group•Berkeley, IL

9d•$70,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Buyer purchases and manages raw materials needed to support uninterrupted production at the Berkeley facility. The position uses ERP planning outputs, production schedules, inventory levels, supplier lead times, pricing, minimum-order requirements, and capacity constraints to make timely purchasing decisions. The Buyer works with Planning, Operations, Nutrition, Procurement, and suppliers to prevent shortages, resolve supply-chain disruptions, manage substitutions and item transitions, and support supplier qualification and new product sourcing. This is a full-time, exempt position with standard hours Monday–Friday, aligned with facility production and business needs. Occasional extended hours, including evenings and/or weekends, may be required during peak production or urgent supply needs. Occasional travel may be required to supplier locations, other company facilities, or business meetings, potentially including out-of-state travel. The work is primarily in an office and secondarily in manufacturing, packing, warehouse, storage, and freezer areas. The position involves periodic standing and walking, including movement near heavy machinery and through temperature-controlled areas. Noise is generally moderate in the office and may be moderate to loud in operational areas. The role includes occasional lifting or moving of up to 40 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Three or more years of buying or similar supply-chain experience preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, especially Excel.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple purchasing priorities.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and remain effective in a fast-paced food-manufacturing environment.
A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are preferred.

Nice To Haves

HACCP or ServSafe certification.
ASCM certification.
Experience with ERP systems, specifically Sage X3.
Bachelor’s degree.
Three or more years of buying or similar supply-chain experience.
A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

Order raw materials for plant operations while considering supplier minimums, lead times, capacity, contract pricing, and inbound timing.
Monitor Sage X3 ERP planning outputs, including MRP and MPS requirements, to determine order quantities and delivery timing in support of the master production schedule.
Partner with Planning and Operations to assess production needs, identify missing materials, and prevent production delays.
Manage site inventory through purchasing decisions, item-transition planning, approved substitutions, and participation in menu development.
Identify excess inventory, obsolete materials, discontinued items, and transition risks, and work cross-functionally on usage or disposition plans.
Collaborate with Nutrition and Operations on approved substitute items and maintain the substitution tracker.
Communicate proactively with suppliers about purchase-order status, delivery timing, shortages, delays, and other supply risks.
Work with alternate suppliers and sources to resolve disruptions and fulfill production requirements when shortages, transportation issues, or other constraints arise.
Generate credit reports and follow up with vendors regarding credits owed to Whitsons.
Support maintenance and management of vendor compliance documentation for the Supplier Qualification and Approval process.
Assist in sourcing and evaluating new suppliers and products for new business opportunities and operational requirements.
Coordinate with Procurement, Nutrition, Operations, and other stakeholders to confirm product suitability, supplier readiness, and continuity of supply.