Purchasing Manager

The Judge Group - Arlington, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Arlington, VA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

Our client, a rapidly growing food manufacturer, is currently seeking a Purchasing Manager/Sr. Manager based in Northern Virginia. This position is onsite and offers a generous base salary along with a bonus structure and excellent benefits that start on day one. The Purchasing Manager/Sr. Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and measuring the purchase of packaging and ingredients to support planned production for forecasted requirements. This role is crucial in ensuring that the purchasing processes align with the company's financial and inventory targets according to operating plans. The successful candidate will manage a team of two buyers, overseeing all purchases necessary to maintain efficient production at both production and co-pack facilities. They will implement sourcing and procurement strategies that support the company's objectives and coordinate the execution of purchase orders and releases to meet plant demands. Additionally, the Purchasing Manager/Sr. Manager will recommend changes to corporate purchasing processes and projects aimed at increasing company efficiency. This role also involves analyzing market dynamics and assisting in the development of strategies to meet company objectives by understanding industry trends, reviewing market prices, and recommending cost strategies for implementation. Building and maintaining strong business relationships with suppliers is essential, as is the ability to minimize costs by challenging vendor pricing and initiating cost-saving projects. The Purchasing Manager/Sr. Manager will negotiate purchase contracts to ensure continuity of supply at competitive prices and evaluate supplier performance to meet quality, cost, and delivery objectives. Furthermore, they will participate in cross-functional projects and facilitate communication between various departments and packaging printers.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of 2 buyers to support all purchases to maintain efficient production at production and co-pack facilities.
• Implement sourcing/procurement strategies to support company objectives.
• Coordinate the execution of purchase orders and releases to support plant demands.
• Recommend changes to revise and implement corporate purchasing processes and projects to increase company efficiency.
• Coordinate delivery schedules with Plants and Co-pack facilities and troubleshoot problems through implementation of appropriate corrective actions, as necessary.
• Analyze market dynamics and assist in developing strategies to meet the company objectives by understanding industry trends, reviewing market prices, and recommending cost strategies for implementation.
• Develop and maintain strong business relationships with suppliers.
• Minimize costs by actively challenging vendor pricing, initiating cost savings projects, assessing vendor capabilities, and developing alternate sources using cross-functional resources.
• Negotiate purchase contracts as necessary to ensure continuity of supply at the most competitive prices within the operating budgeted criteria.
• Evaluate supplier performance on an ongoing basis implementing corrective actions as necessary to ensure quality/cost/delivery objectives are achieved.
• Work with vendor base to understand future market trends so that annual standard costs for packaging and ingredients can be determined for the annual operating plan (AOP).
• Participate in cross-functional projects by representing non-fish purchasing for new and current items and communicate key risks and opportunities.
• Facilitate graphic changes and communication between Graphics Department, Packaging R&D, Plants and Co-pack facilities, and various packaging printers.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of SAP.
• Experience in sourcing of packaging components (labels, flexible packaging, corrugate) and/or ingredients (oils, flavors, IQF vegetables).
• Technology savvy in Microsoft Office applications, most notably Excel.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, planning, organizational and prioritization skills with a high commitment to meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects at a time in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Good analytical skills for price evaluations, spend analysis, and inventory management.
• Possess sound business judgment with a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to travel on a limited basis; some international travel required.
• BS/BA degree required.

Nice-to-haves

• 2-5 years purchasing experience for Manager level; 5+ years of purchasing and management experience for Senior Manager level.

Benefits

• Generous base salary
• Bonus structure
• Excellent benefits starting day one