Procurement Specialist - Manufacturing & Ingredients

Position Overview

The Procurement Specialist – Manufacturing & Ingredients, reporting to the Purchasing Manager, is responsible for executing procurement activities across a multi-location food manufacturing and distribution network. This role supports the sourcing and purchasing of ingredients, packaging, and indirect materials for both custom formulations and finished retail products.

This position is critical to ensuring supply continuity, cost optimization, and operational alignment across manufacturing and distribution channels. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Operations, R&D, Sales, Logistics, and Quality to support production schedules, customer commitments, and new product development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic & Operational Purchasing

• Execute purchasing activities for ingredients, packaging, and indirect materials

• Manage procurement across multiple facilities aligned with production schedules and demand

• Convert demand signals into accurate purchase orders and supplier commitments

2. Supplier Management & Sourcing

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers based on cost, quality, service, food safety, and reliability

• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships

• Support dual sourcing and risk mitigation strategies

• Participate in vendor performance reviews

3. Manufacturing & Supply Continuity

• Ensure material availability to support production schedules and plant efficiency

• Collaborate to manage shortages, substitutions, and supply constraints

• Monitor lead times and minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirements

• Support plant-specific procurement needs

4. Inventory & Working Capital Optimization

• Manage inventory levels across locations, balancing service levels, shelf life, and working capital

• Account for perishability and expiration risks

• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory

5. Market Intelligence & Cost Management

• Track commodity markets and ingredient trends

• Identify cost savings and cost avoidance opportunities

• Support benchmarking and competitive sourcing initiatives

6. Data, Systems & Process Management

• Maintain accurate purchasing data in ERP systems (e.g., Aptean, Business Central, or similar)

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and food safety standards

• Analyze purchasing data to identify trends and process improvements

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D, Sales, Quality, and Logistics teams

• Support new product introductions (NPI) and customer-specific requirements

8. Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate supply risks (supplier, commodity, operational disruptions)

• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies

Required Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of food manufacturing supply chains and ingredient sourcing

• Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills

• Inventory management experience in perishable environments

• Analytical and critical thinking capabilities

• ERP system proficiency (Aptean, Business Central, or similar)

• Understanding of food safety and regulatory requirements (preferred)

• Excellent communication and organizational skills

Education & Experience

• 2–5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain (food manufacturing, CPG, or distribution preferred)

• Experience supporting multi-site operations preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field (preferred)