Senior Procurement Manager for Ingredients and Packaging

For over 50 years, Home Market Foods has provided superior quality food products -- from our beginnings as a purveyor of fresh meats, to our current position as a major specialty provider of fully cooked and frozen, meals, appetizers, and snacks for both retail and foodservice customers.

We are seeking a Senior Procurement Manager Ingredients and Packaging to join our team! This person will be responsible for all raw materials, ingredient and packaging procurement activities for Home Market Foods. It requires someone with the ability to interact effectively with senior management, manufacturing/operations, planning, and finance as well as be the owner of all supplier relationships. Responsibilities include development and implementation of all the purchasing for our raw materials and packaging. Materials procured include beef, pork, poultry, dry ingredients, spices and oils as well as finished goods packaging materials. The position requires an understanding of agricultural markets and the ability to implement strategies to buy these materials. This leader must be able to suggest process improvements and strengthen communication channels with other departments.

* Manage pricing and contract negotiations. Must be able to build strong relationships with suppliers and manage those relationships effectively, including resolution of any issues. * Monitor suppliers' performance to ensure that goods and services conform to the contract requirements * Source and qualify new suppliers/vendors * Manage competitive bid process on a routine and regular basis for all ingredient purchasing * Review cost of goods regularly and make substitution recommendations in the interest of cost, quantity, quality or delivery time. * Analyzes, establishes, and maintains qualified, uninterrupted sources of supply that are consistent with Company policies and procedures. * Track and manage price risk and market trends to ensure competitive price advantage. * Negotiates with suppliers on price, terms, and conditions, and establishes purchasing and price agreements that fall within the scope of delegated responsibilities. * Acts as a liaison between suppliers and other functional areas of the Company. Communicates market/pricing developments and develops strategies to leverage these market fluctuations. * Maintains and monitors all open contracts, expiration dates, and balances. * Reviews inventory levels and service levels to insure proper capital utilization. * Facilitates quick turnaround time of invoice resolution, damaged product claims, and discrepancy issues. * Dispositions QA damaged/rejected material in a timely manner. * Resolves dead stock issues. Recommends a course of action for sales and Department Manager for disposition options. * Assists in identifying market for new products. Communicates new uses from supplier or trade sources to Industry Management. * Work with the finance team to perform cost and price analyses * Perform other duties as directed.

**Position Requirements** * Bachelor's degree required * 3-5 years of procurement experience supporting food manufacturing * Preferred 2 years of experience in meat and poultry buying * Knowledgeable with freight purchasing, warehousing and logistics * Must be highly proficient in using ERP systems and Microsoft Office programs * Must possess strong communications skills, strong project management skills and strong negotiation skills * Must understand analysis and forecasts of various commodity markets * Food commodity trading a plus * Strong and effective written/oral communication and interpersonal skills. * Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. * Capable of exercising sound judgment and making effective decisions. * Strong organizational and time management skills. * Must possess the qualities of flexibility, adaptability, stress management, and self-initiative. * Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel). **Reporting/Working Relationships** * Reports directly to VP of Operations. * Ability to perform under very limited supervision with considerable latitude for independent action. * Must exercise sound judgment concerning purchasing decisions. * Works directly and professionally with all levels of management and numerous suppliers to maintain positive and effective working relationships.