Manager, Purchasing

Dairy Farmers of America•St. Paul, MN

About The Position

Manage a team of production planners, purchasing specialists/buyers and/or support staff engaged in purchasing, receiving, and controlling materials, supplies, and services. Manage the purchasing process from requisition to receipt, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Manage vendor and supplier relationships. Establish department procedures and guidelines to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services that meet company needs in a cost-effective manner. Manage the production planning and inventory control process including inventory adjustments, material transfers, and cycle counts.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, supply chain management or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
5 to 8 years of procurement, purchasing, buyer, supply chain management, finance, or related experience coupled with demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience
1+ year of management experience preferred
Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment
Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, sourcing strategies, the supply chain, and contract negotiation techniques; strong knowledge of vendor product, services, and reliability
Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
Able to multitask, prioritize workloads, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Able to lead a team to achieve departmental goals
Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e., organizational skills)
Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
Able to work with accuracy and attention to detail
Must be able to read, write and speak English

Responsibilities

Manage the purchasing process from sourcing to delivery, ensuring compliance with DFA policies and standards. Provide work direction to staff in the purchasing department
Monitor and review purchase requisitions, supply sources, supplies, quotations, terms, purchase orders, etc.
Expedite orders where required to ensure constant supply against schedule changes
Serve as the escalation point for invoice issues, shipping errors, late deliveries, replacement of materials not meeting company specifications, and cancellation of orders; keep stakeholders updated throughout the process
Ensure appropriate inventory levels are attained and managed, meeting or exceeding procurement and inventory key performance indicators (KPIs)
Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, conducting regular performance reviews to ensure alignment with company standards
Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing agreements while maintaining strong vendor relationships
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand purchasing requirements and develop purchasing plans
Monitor market trends and industry developments to identify potential risks and opportunities for cost savings or process improvements. Recommend and take corrective actions
Recommend major purchases of materials on the basis of anticipated changes in prices or unusual availability situations
Oversee the purchasing budget and track expenses to ensure adherence to financial targets
Ensure procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories, are accurate and up-to-date
Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key procurement and raw material inventory metrics, trends, and recommendations
Implement tools and systems to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance visibility into purchasing, inventory control and production planning activities
Lead, mentor, and develop purchasing staff. Hire, train new staff members, and supervise and evaluate job performance of department staff
Participate in continuous improvement projects and discussions and provide input into procurement, inventory control and production planning strategies
Other duties may be assigned as required