Category Buyer for Capital, Maintenance, Supplies, and Services

Full-time - Mid Level

Saint Louis, MO

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, components, and services for specific categories across all Volpi locations. This role emphasizes ensuring timely availability of high-quality materials and professional services while optimizing costs and maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop category plans for assigned categories to align with overall business objectives.
• Prepare, review and issue purchase orders ensuring accuracy, timely delivery and optimal pricing.
• Conduct market research to stay informed about supplier capabilities and category/industry trends.
• Create and maintain scorecards with key metrics for applicable categories.
• Monitor material inventory levels to prevent shortages or overstock situations and collaborate with inventory management to establish reorder points.
• Negotiate pricing, terms and conditions with suppliers to achieve cost savings and favorable agreements.
• Establish and maintain strong, productive relationships with key suppliers to reduce costs and improve product quality.
• Promptly address any supplier-related issues such as quality concerns or delivery delays.
• Drive improvement and efficiency within the purchasing process.
• Participate in the development of specifications and sourcing for new products.
• Manage product claims, returns and non-conforming products.
• Analyze applicable categories to identify and implement cost savings.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to maintain compliance with all policies and ensure purchased materials meet specifications.

Requirements

• A minimum of three (3) years purchasing and sourcing experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• A bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain or related field is preferred.
• Strong technical knowledge of material resource planning.
• Advanced negotiation and communication skills (both written and oral).
• Analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Exemplary organizational skills and task management capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products (especially Outlook, Word and Excel) and ERP systems.

Nice-to-haves

• Certification in Supply Chain Management (e.g., CPSM, CPIM) is preferred.