Associate Corporate Buyer

Sfdbrands; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking an Associate Corporate Buyer to support procurement of packaging, ingredients, and operating supplies for the Lunch Makers business. You will optimize cost, quality, and service while coordinating with internal stakeholders and suppliers.

The role involves activities from supplier coordination and order execution to data stewardship in SAP and related systems, with emphasis on continuity of supply and cost optimization across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Clear written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, planning, and execution skills with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and sound business decisions for continuity.
• Willingness to travel up to ~40% as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Marketing and cross-functional teams to align purchasing with strategic goals.
• Manage day-to-day purchasing needs for product lines across facilities; liaise with plants and suppliers.
• Monitor material availability, quality, and delivery; track orders and update stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Planning

Negotiation

Collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

DSP

MRP

Packaging systems

Job description

When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special - a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The Associate Corporate Buyer supports the procurement of packaging, ingredients, and operating supplies for the Lunch Makers business by executing purchasing activities in accordance with established policies and procedures. In this role, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure materials are sourced at optimal cost, quality, and service levels. You will assist with supplier coordination, order execution, and basic analysis to support continuity of supply while contributing to cost optimization and operational efficiency across the supply chain.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Business Partnership & Strategy Support: Participate in Marketing and cross-functional meetings to provide input on business strategy, support new product development, and ensure purchasing decisions align with operational and business needs.
• Product Line & Supplier Management: Manage the day-to-day purchasing needs for assigned product lines used across multiple facilities, serving as a liaison between plants and suppliers and supporting the implementation of new suppliers and sourcing awards.
• Materials Planning & Inventory Control: Monitor material availability, quality, and delivery performance; manage redundant and obsolete materials; follow up on purchase orders; and communicate order status to internal stakeholders.
• Systems & Data Stewardship: Serve as SAP Gatekeeper for Ingredients and Packaging and provide facility support for SAP, DSP (Data Stewardship Platform), MRP, and packaging inquiries while maintaining accurate supplier and vendor data.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Support Marketing, R&D, and plant teams through ideation sessions, product transfers, and implementation of product changes, representing Purchasing in cross-functional initiatives.
• Supplier Performance & Issue Resolution: Lead weekly plant purchasing manager meetings to identify and resolve supplier issues, follow up on claims, and ensure adherence to sourcing agreements and service expectations.
• Procurement Execution & Compliance: Execute purchasing activities for assigned materials and supplies in accordance with established procurement policies, approved buying programs, and sourcing strategies.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Company will consider a currently enrolled college student with an anticipated graduation by end of current school year as qualified.
• Communication Skills: Ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas in both written and verbal formats with internal and external stakeholders.
• Planning & Organization: Strong organizational, planning, and execution skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Negotiation & Business Acumen: Demonstrated negotiation skills and the ability to make sound business decisions that support operational continuity.
• Travel & Flexibility: Willingness to travel up to approximately 40% as business needs require.
• Collaboration & Culture Fit: Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while being respectful, approachable, and team-oriented.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

C.P.M., A.P.P. or APICS certification preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.

The expected pay range for this position is $52,500 - $77,500 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. 'Good food. Responsibly.®' is more than just our tagline; it’s what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.

Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.

Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.

Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.

Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.

Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent.

We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.