Manager, Purchasing

Dairy Farmers of America; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead a team of buyers and planners responsible for sourcing, purchasing, receiving, and inventory control across dairy materials.

You will oversee supplier relationships, negotiate terms, monitor KPIs, and ensure on-time delivery while maintaining compliance with DFA policies and budget targets. This on-site role supports cross-functional teams and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, economics, supply chain management or related field.
• 5–8 years in procurement, purchasing, buyer, or related leadership experience.
• Management experience preferred (1+ year).

Responsibilities

• Manage the purchasing process from sourcing to delivery, ensuring DFA policy compliance.
• Provide work direction to staff in the purchasing department.
• Monitor and review requisitions, sources, quotations, terms, and POs.
• Expedite orders to meet schedule changes.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers for favorable terms and pricing.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and track procurement KPIs.
• Develop purchasing plans with cross-functional teams.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on procurement metrics.
• Implement tools to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Skills

Procurement

Vendor negotiation

Supply chain

Leadership

Budget management

Education

Undergraduate degree in accounting

Certification in procurement (optional)

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

General Purpose:

Manage a team of production planners, purchasing specialists/buyers and/or support staff engaged in purchasing, receiving, and controlling materials, supplies, and services. Manage the purchasing process from requisition to receipt, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Manage vendor and supplier relationships. Establish department procedures and guidelines to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services that meet company needs in a cost-effective manner. Manage the production planning and inventory control process including inventory adjustments, material transfers, and cycle counts.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the purchasing process from sourcing to delivery, ensuring compliance with DFA policies and standards. Provide work direction to staff in the purchasing department
• Monitor and review purchase requisitions, supply sources, supplies, quotations, terms, purchase orders, etc.
• Expedite orders where required to ensure constant supply against schedule changes
• Serve as the escalation point for invoice issues, shipping errors, late deliveries, replacement of materials not meeting company specifications, and cancellation of orders; keep stakeholders updated throughout the process
• Ensure appropriate inventory levels are attained and managed, meeting or exceeding procurement and inventory key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, conducting regular performance reviews to ensure alignment with company standards
• Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing agreements while maintaining strong vendor relationships
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand purchasing requirements and develop purchasing plans
• Monitor market trends and industry developments to identify potential risks and opportunities for cost savings or process improvements. Recommend and take corrective actions
• Recommend major purchases of materials on the basis of anticipated changes in prices or unusual availability situations
• Oversee the purchasing budget and track expenses to ensure adherence to financial targets
• Ensure procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories, are accurate and up-to-date
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key procurement and raw material inventory metrics, trends, and recommendations
• Implement tools and systems to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance visibility into purchasing, inventory control and production planning activities
• Lead, mentor, and develop purchasing staff. Hire, train new staff members, and supervise and evaluate job performance of department staff
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and discussions and provide input into procurement, inventory control and production planning strategies
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Travel:

5%-15% (1-3 times per year)

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, supply chain management or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 5 to 8 years of procurement, purchasing, buyer, supply chain management, finance, or related experience coupled with demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience; 1+ year of management experience preferred
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, sourcing strategies, the supply chain, and contract negotiation techniques; strong knowledge of vendor product, services, and reliability
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Able to multitask, prioritize workloads, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Able to lead a team to achieve departmental goals
• Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e., organizational skills)
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to work with accuracy and attention to detail
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans