Senior Purchasing Agent

Foster Farms has been a family-owned and operated company for four generations. Since our founding days back in 1939, we have always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. The hope is that our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our people will shine through in everything we do.

Senior Purchasing Agent’s primary role is to manage the purchase and delivery of goods and services needed by the business in an efficient and cost effective manner. Position will manage fleet capital: documentation, cost control, regulatory requirements, and work with Logistics team. Manage California Air Board requirements and implement for Foster Farms. Assist Engineering in major capital projects, deliver cost reduction, negotiate agreements and draft contracts. S/he is to provide knowledge of the assigned spend and process and develop the appropriate supplier base in conjunction with Sourcing Managers and Internal Customers and drive supplier performance. The Senior Purchasing Agent is to drive business value by maintaining, analyzing, and reporting consumption and price information in order to identify and deliver improvement. Individuals in this position must competitively bid purchases, to identify and deliver cost reduction as well as contribute to process efficiency. Will be required to establish and maintain purchase information in SAP for Accounts Payable and Purchasing, consistent with company goals and specifications for quality and timeliness, is a key team member to ensure supply continuity and drive total value.

• Manage fleet capital: documentation, cost control, regulatory requirements, and work with Logistics team. Assist engineering in major capital projects, deliver cost reduction, negotiate agreements and draft contracts
• Analyze spend, Source, bid, negotiate, makes commitments, maintain SAP records for assigned responsibilities & support operations. Establish purchases of energy, rolling stock, materials suppliers, equipment and site services in support of operations within assigned buyer areas.
• Manage California Air Board requirements and implement program for Foster Farms. Will complete detailed analysis and interpretation of all data maintained and negotiate and draft contracts. This includes but not limited to spend, categories, suppliers, purchase orders, bids, and other transactions or analysis as required.
• Support and deliver continuous improvement opportunities related to assigned buy space, procure to pay process, or other responsibilities
• Maintain Contracts, Databases (i.e. SAP, ARIBA), Information records, or Source Lists.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Purchasing Manager or Vice President

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree, plus five years experience in Sourcing, Engineering, or Business in a manufacturing environment
• Three-five years’ experience in Sourcing, Engineering, or Business
• Demonstrated analytical skills with statistics, plus report writing skills required
• Act decisively with a sense of urgency, but able to collaborate and build alignment
• Must be a “self-starter” comfortable working independently on multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and deliver results
• Advanced Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office, especially Excel (or equivalent). Access (or equivalent) a plus
• Demonstrated ability to manage data and complete mass data analysis
• Ability to lead teams and communicate with impact; clear and concise
• Have the ability to influence through indirect authority is essential.

Preferred Requirements:

• MBA
• Experience with mainframe computerized purchasing and MRP systems, preferably SAP background.
• 6-sigma or Lean training
• Ability to manage projects to closure, work effectively in a team environment and contribute to the success of the group.
• Ability to move up 2 levels within the organization.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Consistent and reliable attendance
• Ability to work in fast paced, high pressure situations
• Reliable transportation in order to attend off-site meetings
• Ability to travel periodically