Divisional Buyer - Protein

Sunrise Farms; Babraham; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand River Foods, part of the Sunrise Farms family, seeks a Divisional Buyer-Protein to manage procurement of protein inputs for manufacturing and ensure uninterrupted supply. This backfill role interfaces with Operations, QA, Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, and Finance to optimize purchasing and supplier performance.

The candidate will monitor demand, issue POs, manage supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement across sourcing, inventory, and compliance processes while

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years of purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing supplier relationships.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Excel.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and purchasing processes.
• ASCM (CSCP) / SCMP designation or progress toward certification.
• Experience within food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.
• Experience supporting multiple facilities or business units.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & Sourcing: Analyze protein material requirements based on production schedules and forecasts; issue and manage purchase orders; develop supplier relationships; support sourcing for new products and projects.
• Supplier & Vendor Management: Act as primary contact for suppliers; monitor performance; resolve issues; maintain vendor records.
• Inventory & Supply Management: Monitor inventory levels and consumption trends; forecast requirements; prevent supply disruptions; expedite orders; review aging inventory.
• Compliance & Continuous Improvement: Manage documentation for import purchases; liaise for import programs; support audits; drive process improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Align purchasing with plant requirements; communicate updates and risks to leadership.

Skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Clear and professional communication

Collaborative team player

Reliable and accountable

Ability to work in fast-paced env

Education

Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management or related field

ASCM (CSCP) / SCMP designation or progress toward certification

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Job description

Grand River Foods is a leading food solutions company serving customers in the North American grocery and food service industry. As a member of the Sunrise Farm family, we remain as dedicated as ever to both providing a quality work environment for our employees, as well as producing only the highest quality products for our customers. We are known for the great care we take with clients and employees alike.

Position Summary

The Divisional Buyer-Protein is responsible for the procurement and supply management of protein raw materials required to support manufacturing operations across Grand River Foods. The role partners closely with Operations, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Finance, and external suppliers to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and uninterrupted supply of protein material inputs for production. The Divisional Buyer ensures materials are available to meet operational requirements while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and adhering to company purchasing policies. The position plays a key role in minimizing material shortages, managing supplier relationships, and supporting efficient plant operations.

Vacancy: Backfill

Procurement & Sourcing

• Analyze daily, weekly, and monthly protein material requirements based on production schedules and forecasts.
• Issue and manage purchase orders in accordance with company purchasing policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to improve service levels, supply reliability, and overall value.
• Support sourcing activities for new products, plant trials, and operational projects.

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for suppliers
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery reliability, product quality, and responsiveness.
• Resolve supplier, pricing, quality, and delivery issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate vendor records and purchasing documentation.

Inventory & Supply Management

• Monitor inventory levels and consumption trends to ensure adequate supply while minimizing excess inventory.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to forecast material requirements and prevent supply disruptions.
• Proactively identify and resolve material availability issues, delivery conflicts, and potential supply risks
• Expedite orders and coordinate delivery schedules to meet operational requirements.
• Review aging inventory and identify opportunities to reduce obsolete, slow-moving, or excess stock.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Manage documentation compliance and record keeping for all import protein purchases
• Act as main liaison and gatekeeper for all document requirements associated with protein import programs that Grand River Foods may participate in such as DRP (Duties Relief Program), IREP (Import for Re-Export Program),etc
• Support audits related to procurement, traceability, supplier approval, and inventory management.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve procurement processes and supplier performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Production Scheduling, Inventory, and Logistics teams to align purchasing activities with plant requirements
• Partner with Operations, Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Finance to understand business needs and purchasing requirements.
• Communicate purchasing updates, supply risks, and market conditions to leadership and key stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years of purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing supplier relationships
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and purchasing processes.
• ASCM (CSCP) / Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation or progress toward certification.
• Experience within food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.
• Experience supporting multiple facilities or business units.

Competencies & Attributes

• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, production‑driven environment
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to react quickly and troubleshoot material or supply issues
• Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to assess supply risks and elevate concerns appropriately
• Collaborative team player who works well with cross‑functional stakeholders
• Reliable, accountable, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrates sound judgment, integrity, and respect for established processes
• Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction within manufacturing environments.
• Occasional travel to suppliers and company facilities may be required.
• Ability to respond to urgent supply chain issues outside of regular business hours when necessary.

$70,000 - $75,000 a year

At Sunrise Farms we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other identifying characteristic are encouraged to apply.

Please note that the expected new hire salary range provided is derived from a group of like roles within Sunrise Farms. The final offer amount for this role will be dependent on geographical region, applicable experience, and skillset of the candidate.