Associate Buyer

JOB SUMMARY

This role contributes to Basic American Foods success through supporting category management as assigned within Ingredients, Packaging, Co-Manufacturing and MRO. Responsible for supporting the strategic procurement process, execution of agreements/contracts, support/leading bid processes, negotiations, supplier selection/development, contract management, and the timely and cost-effective procurement of direct and indirect materials and services. The Associate Buyer will coordinate activities with procurement, logistics, plant management, operations and maintenance, and accounting personnel to execute projects within their category. Project management responsibilities include, identify opportunities, scoping, and successful delivery of assigned projects across internal and external teams.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND/KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for Purchase Order (PO) management, maintaining Procurement databases, on-time delivery in full of purchased materials, and procure-to-pay.
• Responsibilities for strategic sourcing activites. Supports the development and implementation of the negotiation strategy; research and evaluation of suppliers, contract negotiation and implementation while ensuring appropriate levels of management engagement and approval.
• Responsibilities with the strategic sourcing plan and execution of bidding processes for ingredients, materials, services and/or other supplies as defined by strategic sourcing plan. Activities gathering and performing basic analysis of internal spend data, gathering specifications/requirements from internal stakeholders, researching unique and alternative supplier options, collecting supplier bids and performing basic analysis of results, negotiating price and less complex contract terms and conditions.
• Develop strong working relationships with suppliers to build a continuous improvement mind-set for improved performance in quality, service, innovation, and cost.
• Collaborate with other departments to forecast demand, plan inventory levels, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Engagement in a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by leveraging business and industry intelligence, adopting, and participating in the development of best practices, new tools, process improvement and participation in ongoing lean improvement events.
• Works with applicable plant/location staff to research and resolve less complex supplier issues; escalates significant issues to Procurement Ingredient Manager and/or Category Manager.
• With oversight of the Manager develops the annual procurement budget for assigned categories.
• Validates monthly adherence to cost standards and understands metrics driving purchase price variances (PPV).
• Project management activities, to included but not limited to identify opportunities, scoping, and successful delivery of complex projects across internal and external teams. Projects include, PMO, Continuous Improvement, A3 and Kaizen events, technology, and other assigned projects.
• Strive to continuously improve procurement performance by utilizing and understanding best practices, lessons learned and industry trends.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate's degree and 3 years analytical, planning, procurement, supply chain or other relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strategic judgement and analytical rigor, with the ability to translate strategy into action
• Experience developing and leading category strategies, development of external partner capabilities, and leading cost savings initiatives
• Partnering and working with cross functional teams
• Negotiation skills
• Ability to manage a wide variety of projects simultaneously
• Ability to mitigate ambiguity
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written including presentation skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Highly developed analytical reasoning skills
• Ability to lead new best in class system and process initiatives cross-functionally to increase the value delivered by procurement.
• Ability as a subject matter expert to develop and implement strategies, plans, and sourcing activities at the lowest total cost of ownership.
• Strong ability to lead complex programs and project efforts to completion.
• Ability as a subject matter expert in the use of strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Strong ability to use program and project management tools and techniques.
• Ability to manage supplier performance and is highly capable of driving continuous improvement with existing suppliers.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Energy and the ability to Energize others
• Relationship Building
• Analytical Mastery
• Managing Complexity
• Critical thinking
• Category Management
• Resourcefulness
• Passion

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Contract Management systems; Database software; Human Resource systems; Internet software; Inventory software; Order processing systems; Project Management software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.