Buyer

Company Description

Since Foster Farms founding days back in 1939, we have always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. The hope is that our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our people will shine through in everything we do.

We are always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms TEAM. We offer the experience of a large organization, but operate like a family business. More than half of our job openings are filled by internal promotion, and we encourage employees to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups.

Job Description

Pay Range: $67,000 - $76,000 per year

Purpose of position:

Arrange for the purchase and delivery of Ingredient Commodities to all Foster Farms food processing facilities in the most cost-effective manner. This will be accomplished consistent with company goals and specifications for quality and timeliness established by using departments. Provide administrative and technical support for the Operations stakeholders and Finance to include Sourcing (vendor negotiations / selection, pricing, agreement preparation for Manager) and Supply Chain management (order placement, specification buying, supply continuity, communication to vendors, Request for Proposals (RFPs), contract negotiations, stakeholder support, inventory policies, on time delivery and contract creation).

Essential Job Functions:

• Daily Buying Support for ingredients. Responsibilities include managing the Req-to-Pay process to include acting as a procedural resource for Purchase Requisition (PR) development, creating & issuing POs, order confirmation, invoice resolution support and maintaining Department records and documentation. Responsible for ensuring on-time delivery and adapting to new schedule requirements.
• Responsible for the support of the company’s maintenance planning systems (MRP) support. Maintenance planning systems (MRP) support includes supporting maintenance planners with basic understanding of SAP material management, inventory settings such as classifications, min/max safety stock, and reorder points, material master requirements. Additionally, the role will make site assessments of ordering status and build standardization and best practices across maintenance planners.
• Responsible for support of direct material food safety material planning processes and system improvements. Food Safety & System responsibilities include supplier information and performance management related to BRC, FSMA, and new food safety requirements, working with Quality & Feed on assessments and compliance obligations, keeping documentation current, assessing material/supplier risk in conjunction with Sourcing and Q/A. Additionally, in this role the individual will work closely with IT to support an integrated approach to improve purchasing controls around the right supplier, the right mfg plant, and the right use. Will also coordinate with material & feed planners to ensure alignment and improve planning efficiency.
• Responsible for supporting new supplier qualifications, plus any transition of new/modified goods/services. Will be required to lead efforts to integrate new suppliers or supplier’s products.
• Responsible for identifying and delivering cost reduction. Will develop and manage RFPs, RFQs and SAP RFx(s) for various purchases, conduct bid analysis and draft contracts. Responsible for vendor selection, price determination, transportation optimization and other terms for materials/services purchases within assigned area.
• Track and identify opportunities and trends in the agricultural commodities market relating to the wheat, corn, and soy markets futures to support contract agreements that provide value to Foster Farms in negotiations with our vendor partners.
• Responsible for ensuring quality, food safety, safety and supplier policies are adhered to for purchases made. Will be required to explain financial policies, procedures to internal customers in writing and verbally and support compliance with internal controls.
• Perform research and data analysis with frequent use of Excel, SAP, BW, Ariba and other databases. Issue PO’s and manage as needed to support above (new and/or additional material), set up of new SAP numbers for new materials (add to contract, price, MOQ and order increments and sourced) communicate and coordinate with Planner. Will set up new suppliers, contract management in SAP (pricing, terms, etc.) and reporting and facilitating (in and out of SAP): slow moving and excess, SAP number end of life process, MDA’s, SSO’s CAF’s (i.e. NCR’s)
• Will be required to review POs written by others, validate and release. PO authority up to $50,000.

Additional Job Functions:

Other duties as assigned by manager.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Degree in Food Science, Procurement, Production Planning, Business, Statistics or related field strongly preferred or equivalent experience 
• Must have one-three years of Purchasing/Sourcing or Business-related experience in Commodities which are traded. Ie Wheat, Corn and Sugar markets
• Computer literate in Microsoft (MS) Office and Outlook with a strong understanding using and creating MS Excel spreadsheets, including formulas and data management.
• Basic negotiation skills and knowledge of business law
• Excellent and demonstrated interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Capable of learning and proficiently using SAP Procurement module, BW, Ariba and DocuSign
• Initiative, sound analytical skills and ability to work independently with less supervision, change agent, detail oriented, ability to work in cross-functional teams.
• Must be able to handle and safeguard confidential information and have the desire to work in a fast-paced team environment.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with SAP, BW and Ariba
• Demonstrated contracting experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Consistent and reliable attendance
• Ability to work in fast paced, high-pressure situations.
• Reliable transportation in order to attend off-site meetings and supplier audits with FQSA or independently.
• Ability to travel periodically, up to 15%.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new TEAM Members.