Purchasing Agent - job 1 of 2

Foster Farms has been serving families since 1939. Since the founding days, Foster Farms has always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. Our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our valued team members will shine through in everything we do.

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

Pay range: $75,150 to $93,950 per year

Purpose of Position:

To assure Foster Farms maintains a competitive advantage in the area of Direct Materials packaging through contracting and procurement practices, resulting in the maximum return of shareholder investment.

Will manage the purchase and delivery of assigned Direct Materials needed by the business in an efficient and cost-effective manner while assuring supply. Provide detailed knowledge of your spend and process and develop the appropriate supply base. Drive business values by analyzing spend, identifying areas of opportunity, reporting to the Sourcing Manager and business, and leading projects that deliver improvement and achievement of Sourcing Objectives. Will support the business, by providing additional expertise for strategy, negotiation, and purchase of assigned Direct Materials that will be packaging. Competitively bid purchases, to identify and deliver cost reduction as well as contribute to process efficiency. Required to establish and maintain purchase information in SAP for Accounts Payable and Purchasing, consistent with company goals and specifications for quality and timeliness. Will be a key team member in providing input to drive lowest total cost and continuous improvement while ensuring supply continuity and drive total value.

Comfortable initiating work, a self-starter, working independently and with limited oversight to project completion once overall objectives are understood. Must be able to develop and implement an RFP using our Strategic Sourcing process, perform cost analysis, spend segmentation, project tracking & evaluation and report performance. Must demonstrate leadership ability with peers, internal and external stakeholders and also have the ability to influence without authority.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage and oversee DM purchasing functions as assigned, to meet daily business requirements in contracting and buying packaging at all plants. 
• Own and oversee assigned Direct Materials for FF Procurement Sourcing including Planning
• Provide leadership and direction to peers in an attempt to meet or exceed departmental annual objectives and staff professional development
• Minimize acquisition costs for assigned Direct Materials using our Strategic Sourcing process through a multiple supplier competitive bid process, contract negotiations and management, and operational implementation.
• Supplier relationship management – develop, implement and manage partner relationships.
• Develop, maintain and implement cost savings initiatives across all aspects of the business.
• Assist team lead by preparing and monitoring annual, quarterly, and period reports to help inform the business of materials purchasing changes. 
• Support Marketing, Sales and Operations in product changes by meeting implementation deadlines and minimizing material write offs. 
• Contribute to all groups to become more strategic within their given area, bringing greater value to the company and instruct and encourage professional advancement.
• Assist the Purchasing Department in improving the functionality of our MRP buying system by working with staff, field buyers and IT for efficiency gains.  

Requirements:

• Degree in Business Administration strongly preferred
• Minimum 3 years’ work experience in Direct Materials procurement
• Exceptional RFP management from identification and development to execution
• Strong analytical skills and ability to become SME for assigned materials
• Excellent negotiation skills and knowledge of business law
• Experience in contract creation, implementation, and management
• Strong leadership skills and have strong understanding of SAP system
• Good understanding CPG

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.