Senior Purchasing Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Minnesota.

📋 Description

• Assess, analyze, and choose supply sources and vendors.

• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules for feed ingredients.

• Review alternative suppliers and evaluate ingredient quality and specifications.

• Generate purchase orders and contracts when necessary.

• Submit vendor orders and finalize purchase orders within the ERP system.

• Address any discrepancies in vendor quality.

• Communicate ingredient supply challenges to business functions and the Purchasing Manager.

• Work in collaboration with Global Grain Marketing teams to lower cost of goods.

• Foster strong working relationships with Plant Managers and Production Teams.

• Formulate purchasing strategies for designated ingredients.

• Uphold and promote a robust safety culture while adhering to safety policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Identify and report workplace hazards, correcting unsafe actions or conditions or seeking assistance as needed.

• Undertake additional responsibilities as required or assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.

• Over 4 years of experience in supply chain management, procurement, purchasing, and commodity trading/merchandising.

• Relevant experience and knowledge of the feed industry, ingredient purchasing, logistics, relative value merchandising, and formulation processes.

• Advanced understanding of Purchasing Best Business Practices, mathematics, and ethics.

• Experience in manufacturing purchasing, ideally within the animal nutrition sector.

• Capability to establish and nurture strong professional relationships.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• Strong skills in influencing and negotiating.

• Robust decision-making capabilities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and Teams).

• Selected candidates might need to pass pre-employment screenings, including drug, criminal, motor vehicle, physical requirements, and FMCSA Clearinghouse checks.

• A Bachelor's degree in Animal Science/Nutrition, Ag Business, Ag Economics, Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Wellness programs.

• Life insurance.

• Health and dependent care spending accounts.

• Paid time off.

• 401(k).

• Pension.

• Profit sharing.

• Short- and long-term disability.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Adoption assistance.

• Potential bonuses, incentives, and commission earnings depending on the position.