Buyer

PB Leiner•Davenport, IA

13d

About The Position

PB Leiner is one of the world’s leading producers of high quality gelatins and collagen peptides. We supply a growing market in food, pharma, health nutrition and technical applications. In all our efforts, we strive to be The Clear Solution for our customers. We spot and exploit opportunities, and try to anticipate future trends for them. We pursue outstanding quality and choice, as well as smooth delivery. We have a global presence in terms of both our plants and sales support, and count approximately 1,100 collaborators worldwide. PB Leiner is part of Tessenderlo Group. Job Description The Raw Material Buyer is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and managing the supply chain for key inputs to the manufacturing process, including but not limited to pork skins, processing aids, and other materials. This role supports production by ensuring timely availability of materials that meet quality and safety standards. The position also includes negotiating the sale of by-products, coordinating logistics, developing supplier relationships, and identifying process improvements across the procurement and inventory management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Food Science, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
3+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or logistics; experience meat/pork industry or food manufacturing preferred.
Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
Experience working with cold storage and perishable inventory.
Familiarity with quality assurance standards and supplier auditing practices.
Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.).
Ability to travel as needed for supplier audits and facility visits. (10%)

Responsibilities

Raw Material Procurement: Source and purchase raw materials such as pork skins, chemicals, and other processing aids alignment with production needs, ensuring cost-effectiveness, quality, and timely delivery.
By-Product Sales & Negotiation: Identify opportunities and negotiate the sale of manufacturing by-products to external partners, maximizing value and minimizing waste.
Production Coordination: Collaborate closely with the Production Manager to ensure materials are available to meet production schedules and minimize downtime.
Quality Assurance Collaboration: Partner with the Quality team to ensure that all raw materials meet established safety, regulatory, and product standards.
Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers across multiple categories to ensure a reliable and responsive supply base.
Storage & Logistics Coordination: Manage inbound shipments and coordinate storage solutions (e.g. cold storage) to maintain product integrity and food safety compliance.
Supplier Audits: Conduct regular audits to ensure supplier compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
Delivery Schedule Management: Maintain accurate delivery schedules and proactively communicate with internal stakeholders and resolve supply issues.
Cross-Functional Training: Cross-train with the Purchasing Manager and other team members to support procurement of packaging, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations), and other indirect materials when necessary.
Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement strategies to improve procurement efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and inventory management.