Plant Buyer

Position Objective:

• Cost effectively source locally managed raw material, packaging, supplies and MRO spends.
• Manage inventories of raw material, packaging, supplies and MRO to assure adequate supply for plant production requirements.
•  Ensure purchases are compliant with corporate policies and adhere to internal specifications
• Monitor and coordinate adherence of supplier approvals and reapprovals in support of plant food safety audits.

Key Result Areas:

Performance Standards

Procurement

• Assists with (and sometimes leads) the sourcing process for raw materials & packaging.  Develops source plans to ensure multiple approved suppliers are in place to manage risk.  
• Whenever possible, utilizes E-procurement for bid process.  Maintains record of bids, either electronically or hard copy, for auditing purposes.
• Works within pre-defined spend authority levels to analyze supplier proposals and develop recommendations to Memphis plant management and Corporate Purchasing. 
• Creates contracts, letters, and other documentation suitable for communication to vendors, other personnel, and leadership.   Periodically reviews and evaluates contracts and extended orders for either renewal or cancellation, within spend authority.
• Manages purchases for supplies and spare parts, as appropriate, through a requisition process.  In coordination with plant management, assists or leads transition of targeted MRO spend to utilize a requisition process.  Whenever possible, assures competitive bid process is in place for supplies, spare parts and required services.
• Strives to provide purchasing savings, minimize/optimize inventory dollars, negotiate extended supplier payment terms and where possible increase supplier diversity spending. 
• Coordinates with other AB Mauri/ABF sites and Corporate Purchasing to leverage local, regional and global spend and to develop best practices.
• Monitors and ensures raw material and packaging inventory levels adequately meet production requirements.  As appropriate, identifies and evaluates requirements to develop EOQs (Economic Order Quantities) in order to maintain inventory levels at or below budgeted levels.  Re-evaluates EOQs regularly, adjusting for plant usage requirements, in order to avoid either obsolete inventory or product shortages.  Negotiates supplier supported inventory reduction wherever possible.
• Executes daily buying processes in ERP System & confirms correct pricing and dates are maintained in ERP.  Assures approvals follow pre-defined spend limits when placing purchase orders and maintains local records of corporate contracts, whenever necessary.
• Resolves conflicts and complaints with vendors and provides feedback through Annual Supplier Performance reviews. 

Reporting

• Ensures that commercial documentation (purchase orders, contracts, supplemental agreements, etc.) is properly executed, authorized and that written or electronic records with proper approvals are maintained locally for auditing purposes.
• Ensures internal controls requirements and purchasing standards are met.
• Assists Corporate Purchasing for budget creation and quarterly reforecasts.
• Reports against assigned KPIs and ongoing projects on a monthly basis, or as otherwise required.  This includes but is not limited to:  raw material/packaging inventories, savings/cost avoidance, PPVs (price purchase variances), contract/agreement status reports and Supplier performance review updates.
• Resolves invoice discrepancy issues, including direct responsibility for resolving price discrepancy issues on plant-controlled spends.  Tracks open order report for other invoice resolution issues (i.e. untimely receipts, etc.).

Quality/Service

• Coordinates with Corporate Purchasing and quality to ensure all potential vendors/contractors are properly “approved”.  Maintains updated files with proper supplier documentation and sign-offs.
•  Maintains and updates the list of approved vendors/contractors in the Document Library.  Coordinates with plant management and quality department to assure new raw materials & packaging items are added to the list and that specifications are created and added into the document library.
• Confirms COAs are received with all incoming shipments and maintained internally at the plant level.  Coordinates with suppliers to obtain any missing COAs in a timely manner.
• Assure supplier non-conformances are entered into the NCMR database and closed in a timely manner (this should include documentation of investigations, corrective actions and supplier responses).

Human Resources

• Comply with HR policies and procedures.
• Comply with relevant employment laws.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

A combination of the listed skills and knowledge is preferred

• Strong PC skills (particularly Lotus Notes, Excel, Word, and Internet Explorer).
• Proficiency in E-procurement system, preferably Scanmarket.
• Experience with formal Category Management preferred.
•  2 years’ experience in purchasing or a related role.
• Must be able to qualify as a Buyer on ERP system within 6 months of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, logistics, or related field preferred.
• Able to handle discretionary and confidential information.
• High degree of personal integrity and ethics.

Working Conditions

• Minimal travel required.

Other Factors                 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk, hear and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sometimes exposed to airborne particles and chemicals. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.  The employee frequently works in high places and is infrequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.