VITA FOOD PRODUCTS JOB – SENIOR BUYER

Job Title: Senior Buyer

Department: Purchasing

Reports to: President & CEO

Supervises: Purchasing Manager

FLSA: Exempt

Backup: Purchasing Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the purchasing of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging for the Company. In addition, they are responsible for maintaining the supplier records, both physical and electronic, and maintaining the integrity of record keeping systems. The purchasing function requires strategic planning, data entry among other tasks.

The Senior Buyer will negotiate with suppliers for the best price and service that meet the minimum standards for all items purchased.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Negotiates with suppliers under the guidelines of our Code of Ethics and Company practices and policies.
Responsible for keeping all required supplier files up-do-date. This is done by monitoring expiration dates of all supplier required documents

Communicate with Suppliers the Company’s policies regarding product specifications, lot# limitations, and booking receiving appointments

Ensuring compliance with all ASC/MSC/OU certification requirements and having them “audit ready” at all times
Support the Company’s FSMA Initiatives
Researches and expands new supply sources where suppliers are inadequate or incapable to meet our minimum standards.
Vets new potential suppliers through the Company’s New Vendor Qualification Program
Seeks competitive bids for all purchases (minimum of 2 suppliers), analyzes bids and makes awards
Negotiates contracts when appropriate and monitors market costs during the term
Updates BOM’s when price changes are unavoidable and communicates this with the Corporate Controller.
Verifies appropriate approvals and account numbers for Purchase Orders
Works closely with Quality and Receiving Departments to ensure proper supplies arrive and Accounts Payable to ensure payments are made on time
Monitors timeliness of Purchase Order deliveries and researches and delinquent arrivals
Follows environmental and safety regulations and acts in compliance with US laws
Complies with safety and corporate guidelines
Aid in the development and implementation of Food Safety Fundamentals and Food Safety Plan as outlined in the BRCGS system
Has the authority to take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the BRCGS system

Understands how to interpret and implement material needs based on production schedules and forecasts

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education • Bachelor Degree or greater, in a business related field

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

Negotiating skills
Sound Decision-Making skills
Proficient with MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Excellent Organizational skills
Ability to communicate professionally with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

5 to 10 years of progressive purchasing experience, preferably in a food manufacturing environment
Prior supervision of staff required
Previous experience with electronic business software required
Prior experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP or related Business Software required
Knowledge and implementation of Food Safety Initiatives a plus
Knowledge of Seafood Purchasing a plus

GENERAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

Lock Out Tag Out

Blood Borne Pathogens & Exposure Control Plan

Emergency Action & Fire Safety

General HACCP Training

GMP

General Allergen

Hazard Communication

Hearing Protection

Machine Guarding

PPE

Slips, Trips and Falls