Ingredient Procurement Specialist

SUMMARY: This role is responsible for the procurement of raw materials and ingredients to support production operations. This role involves purchasing, inventory management, vendor relations, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure optimal inventory levels while maintaining cost efficiency and quality standards

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adhere to and exemplify behaviors aligned with company core values: We Work with Passion & Purpose (Ho’ohana), We Choose to do What is Right (Pono), We Work Together (Laulima), We Care (Mālama), We Take Ownership & Responsibility (Kuleana)
• Fosters a sense of teamwork and collaboration among team members by building an employee culture that is aligned with HCC values and operating principles. Ensures all employees are treated consistently, fairly, ethically, and respectfully
• Collaborate with Production Manager to align purchasing activities with production schedules and forecasting
• Analyze stock status and submit purchase orders based on vendor lead times and forecasted quantities
• Ensure seasonal ingredients are purchased timely and coordinated with logistics for successful launches
• Monitor inventory activities to maintain adequate stock levels and implement applicable controls
• Identify and communicate stock-outs, vulnerabilities, and supply chain risks to management
• Communicate with vendors to place order, confirm costs, quantities, and delivery dates
• Coordinate raw ingredient order shipments with Logistics Coordinator following transit and lead time requirements
• Process claims for damaged raw ingredients, including shipping damages, overages, and shortages
• Work with Sr. Operations Analyst to negotiate pricing and terms, escalating high-value purchases
• Communicates with vendors to place orders, confirm costs, quantities, delivery dates
• Collaborate with QA team to obtain and verify supplier documents (COA, Letter of Guarantee, Product Specification Sheets)
• Ensure all purchased ingredients meet quality and regulatory standards
• Work closely with Finance to ensure invoice accuracy and vendor credit processing
• Communicate all price changes and cost impacts to management
• Performs other duties as assigned by management

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree with relevant experience preferred
• 1-3 years of purchasing or procurement experience, preferably in food/beverage or manufacturing industry
• Experience with inventory management systems and ERP software preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written work instructions
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments
• Strong knowledge in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Phone and video conference participation
• Occasional walking and standing for inventory inspections in areas with varying temperatures
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. occasionally for sample handling
• Climb stairs to access different facility levels
• Visual acuity for raw ingredient inspection, reading specifications, labels, and computer screens
• Ability to work standard business hours with occasional overtime during peak seasons
• Fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Collaborative team setting with cross-functional interaction
• Good vision. Specific vision abilities include close vision 20 inches or less, (i.e., working with small objects or reading small print), including use of computers. Distance vision 20 feet or more, not just the ability to see a person or object, but the ability to recognize features as well, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Peripheral vision observing an area that can be seen up and down or to right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point
• Good hearing. Specific hearing abilities include the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds (e.g., forklifts, packaging, machinery alarms), medical codes or alarms and communication purposes

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program

Work Location: In person