SUMMARY

This role contributes to company's success by managing a team of purchasing professionals that develop, implement, and manage Company-wide purchasing strategies for ingredients and packaging for a food manufacturer.  This role partners with a wide variety of Cross-Functional resources (Plant Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Engineering, etc.) and Suppliers to implement and manage sourcing strategies, standardized business processes, lean principles and continuous improvement projects, ultimately ensuring that materials (and services) are delivered at the right time, right quality, right quantity, and right cost.  Additionally, the Purchasing Manager will provide coaching and direction to other partners within the Company that may perform buying functions.  All company Employees are accountable for creating and maintaining a culture of Safety and assuring a safe work environment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities and essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Leadership

• Sets goals for the Purchasing Operations team and develops organizational capability

·         Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and best practices to ensure the immediate Purchasing Operations team promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results

·         Provides a common vision, set priorities and defines roles and responsibilities for partners and cross-functional work teams

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Planning and Execution

• Develops strategic and operational plans for the Purchasing Operations team, managing execution, and measuring results
• Develops purchasing team goals to support departmental and Company goals
• Develops strategies, schedules, and work assignments to ensure that projects meet time and budget goals
• Leads strategic planning activities to ensure long term supply and cost savings
• Leads the design, implementation and utilization of measurement tools to evaluate business process effectiveness and supplier performance
• Plans and manages team processes and practices to ensure that programs are aligned with business goals and objectives
• Prepare, communicates and educates business partners and team on changes in procurement policies and practices

Business Requirements

·         Develops and implements reporting processes to communicate project status to project teams and other business partners

·         Leads the design and implementation of standardized procurement strategies to support business requirements across all Plants

·         Ensures that processes and systems improve service, gain efficiencies or improve quality and reduce costs

·         Uses problem-solving and alternatives analysis methodologies to assess the financial and strategic impact of business initiatives

·         Assesses critical information required to make effective decisions or recommendations for process changes

·         Manages strategic relationships with internal business partners, functional areas, and suppliers to support overall business requirements

People Development and Team Building

• Provides coaching, feedback and developmental opportunities, while building an effective team
• Challenges and inspires team to achieve business results and continuously improve (i.e. Lean Process improvements)
• Conducts and ensure the completion of performance reviews
• Ensure team adheres to the legal and operational compliance requirements
• Oversees training and development of team members
• Provides coaching, direction, and leadership support to team members to achieve business results

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Leads/manages several Purchasing Operations employees of varying degrees of experience and skill-set.  Expected to carry out management responsibilities in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable laws; including but not limited to:  interviewing, training, planning, assigning/directing work, appraising performance, rewarding/disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving issues

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

·         Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

·         Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

·         Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced and changing environment

·         Ability to establish cross-functional, collaborative relationships with business partners, with a focus on Plant Personnel

·         Ability to lead, coach, and influence cross-functional teams and direct reports

·         Highly proficient in managing supplier performance and capable of driving continuous improvement with existing suppliers and company Plants

·         Highly proficient in data analysis, problem solving, and decision making (with focus on material availability for Production, while minimizing obsolescence)

·         Highly proficient in trouble shooting data integrity issues within Procurement system(s)

·         Highly proficient in maintaining accurate information about items and suppliers

·         Highly proficient in applying broad based business disciplines/knowledge to support Procurement activities

·         Highly proficient in enhancing productivity and effectiveness using Supply Chain/Procurement tools and techniques

·         The ability to travel up to 25% is required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

·         Four-year degree in related field required

• 5-10 years with Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, and/or Inventory Management experience (10+ years for Senior Purchasing Manager)

·         5-10 years in Direct Buying, Supplier Management, and/or Project Management experience (10+ years for Senior Purchasing Manager)

·         5+ years Cross-functional Team Management Experience (minimum of 10 years for Senior Purchasing Manager)

·         Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)

·         Syspro experience a plus