Senior Buyer

Job Tittle -Senior Buyer

Job Location - Novi, MI

Client Summary -

We sourced high-quality food products for a range of meal patterns and budgets. We specialize in food service solutions for K-12 and higher education, healthcare and correctional facilities, casinos, entertainment, and many other industries.

Responsibilities -

• Source, Identify, evaluate, and present new vendor and item options.
• Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers and manage supplier performance
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that align with the company's objectives. This includes analyzing market trends, understanding the supply market, and identify potential cost-saving opportunities
• Identify, develop, negotiate and manage new and existing exclusive vendor contracts
• Ensure that products meet quality and specification, delivered on time, and within budget.
• Manage the procurement process from the initial requisition to the final purchase.
• Ensure that the products purchased meet certain standards of quality and compliance. Work closely with the quality control department to address any issues with supplier products.
• Proactively identify and solve problems making balanced proactive decisions while conducting research, keeping up with industry trends, and conducting analysis.
• Work closely with cross functional departments such as sales, logistics, inventory and finance, and to ensure alignment of procurement activities with overall business objectives.
• Strategic approach to trade shows planning out pitch, route, vendor prep, sourcing new items, while identifying trends for the foodservice team
• Establish vendor meeting strategy, develop content, lead meeting and drive results
• Function as a ‘showcase theme coordinator’ and presenter
• Strategize and source potential new opportunity buys while working with new and existing vendors and internally sell and educate our sales team on these opportunities
• Active involvement in planning category and sub category growth plans with Sales and Leadership team.
• Take ownership of all stocked inventory. Work cross-functionally to create awareness, drive sales, and develop creative solutions to drive movement.
• Proactively manage the bid process by sourcing, negotiation, partnership & strategy development with the sales team.
• Develop strong partnerships and alliances with vendors, peers and cross functional teams.
• Create, process, and manage purchase order life cycle to capture profitable business opportunities.

Ideal Candidate -

• Bachelor’s degree Supply Chain, Procurement or related field highly preferred. Equivalent work experience and applicable certifications may be considered as well (Military, APICS, CPM, etc..
• Good years purchasing experience preferred with Some years of food service experience.
• Superior Negotiation skills with experience in pricing and contract negotiation.
• Strong math skills required with the ability to understand and calculate food conversions and advanced math formulas
• Superior Microsoft Office skills, ability to perform VLOOKUP’s & pivot tables, text to columns, general understanding of formulas
• Expert communication skills. Active listener with the ability to communicate both written and verbally in a clear, concise and professional manner internally and externally via telephone, email, and video conferencing.
• Solid professional business writing skills
• Expert organizational skills with the ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects while delegate tasks and using technology to stay organized.
• Provide clear feedback and coaching to others.
• Excellent logical analysis, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Be Innovative providing win-win options to get deals done
• Sales experience a bonus Helpful but not required.

Benefits -

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision care insurance
• Group life & voluntary life insurance
• 401(k) savings plan
• Flexible savings plan
• Short-term & long-term disability
• PTO & PTO buy up
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness reimbursement

Work Environment -

• Works in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made to fulfill these requirements.
• The above statements generally describe the principal and essential functions of the job but should not be construed as a detailed description of all essential functions that may be inherent in the job.

Thanks

Steve Hopper