Junior Buyer

Kevin; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Kevin’s Natural Foods in Stockton, CA is seeking a Junior Buyer to ensure a steady supply of raw materials and packaging for manufacturing operations. You will handle day-to-day procurement, maintain inventory, nurture supplier relationships, and support cost-saving initiatives to keep production uninterrupted.

The ideal candidate has 1–3 years in procurement, strong negotiation and analytics skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably in food manufacturing.
• Experience procuring raw materials, packaging, and related supplies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Admin, SCM, or related field preferred.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Proficient in Excel with analytical capabilities.
• SAP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute procurement strategies supporting company goals and operational needs.
• Source materials to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service agreements with suppliers.
• Support RFP activities for new and existing suppliers.
• Build and monitor supplier performance and scorecards.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production.
• Track procurement metrics and cost savings.
• Prepare procurement reports and recommendations.

Job description

The Junior Buyeris responsible for ensuring the continuous supply of raw materials and packaging required to support manufacturing operations. This role manages day to day procurement activities, maintains optimal inventory levels, develops supplier relationships, and supports cost reduction initiatives while ensuring uninterrupted production. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast paced manufacturing environment and demonstrates strong organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills. This individual is dependable, organized, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement and long term professional growth.

Essential Responsibilities

• Execute procurement strategies that support company goals and operational requirements.
• Source raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and related supplies to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service agreements with suppliers to achieve cost savings and favorable commercial terms.
• Support Request for Proposal (RFP) activities for new and existing suppliers.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with suppliers while monitoring supplier performance.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production while minimizing excess inventory and working capital.
• Track procurement metrics, including inventory performance, purchase price variance (PPV), and cost savings.
• Prepare procurement reports, analyses, and recommendations to support informed business decisions.
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
• Identify supply chain challenges and implement timely solutions.
• Support production schedules by expediting materials when necessary.
• Coordinate material readiness for new product launches, including initial inventory planning and replenishment strategies.
• Monitor commodity markets and supplier trends to anticipate potential risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Operations, Planning, Quality, Research and Development (R&D), Finance, and Logistics to support business objectives.
• Maintain supplier contracts and purchasing documentation.
• Ensure customer orders are fulfilled by securing required ingredients and packaging materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• One to three years of progressive procurement or strategic sourcing experience, preferably in food manufacturing.
• Experience procurement of food commodities including proteins, produce, specialty ingredients, packaging, and related supplies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel with strong analytical capabilities.
• SAP experience preferred.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functional teams and deliver results with urgency.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Healthy, Diverse Teams Breed Innovation:

Kevin’s Natural Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We deeply believe that diverse backgrounds and experiences make better teams, and we seek to attract talent from all walks of life. The team at Kevin’s is smart, humble, and passionate and we value a work environment that fosters personal development and opportunities to move within our small, but quickly growing organization.

More About Kevin’s Natural Foods:

Kevin’s Natural Foods is a line of healthy entrées, sides, and sauces, on a mission to make clean eating delicious and accessible. Kevin’s guilt-free, sous-vide entrées and sides, and signature certified paleo, keto, and gluten-free sauces allow health-conscious home cooks to whip up delicious meals in five minutes or less.

With restaurant-quality ingredients and recipes, Kevin’s products are readily available on the shelves at leading grocery retailers nationwide including Costco, Whole Foods, Albertsons, HEB and Publix. All Kevin’s products contain no refined sugar, artificial ingredients, grains, or soy, and are made with antibiotic- and hormone-free meat. A true market disruptor, Kevin’s Natural Foods is the first clean refrigerated entrée brand.

Base Salary Range: $72,000.00- $78,000.00 annually + benefits + bonus

Compensation within this salary range is dependent upon the candidate's experience, education, and relevant qualifications.

Kevin’s Natural Foods uses E-verify to confirm employment eligibility. For more information, please see the links below:

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