Manager, Purchasing

Dairy Farmers of America; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking a procurement leader to manage a team of production planners, buyers and staff, directing purchasing, receiving and inventory control. You will oversee supplier relationships, negotiate terms, develop purchasing plans, and monitor KPIs to drive cost improvement while ensuring timely delivery.

Ideal candidates have 5–8 years in procurement with leadership experience and an undergraduate degree in a related field; certification may be required during the course

Qualifications

• 5 to 8 years of procurement, purchasing, buyer, supply chain management, finance, or related experience with leadership attributes.
• Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, supply chain management or related curriculum.
• Certification and/or License may be required during course of employment.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing from sourcing to delivery, ensuring DFA policies are followed and staff are directed.
• Monitor requisitions, quotations, terms, and purchase orders; expedite as needed.
• Escalate invoice issues, shipping errors, and order cancellations; keep stakeholders informed.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and KPI targets across procurement and inventory.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations and regular performance reviews for cost effectiveness.
• Develop purchasing plans with cross-functional teams and monitor market trends for risks/opportunities.
• Oversee procurement budget, track expenses, and ensure accurate records and reports.
• Implement tools to streamline processes and improve visibility in purchasing and planning.
• Lead, mentor and develop purchasing staff; drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Procurement best practices

Sourcing strategies

Contract negotiation

Vendor knowledge

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Microsoft Office Suite

Leadership

Communication skills

Attention to detail

English language fluency

Education

Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, supply chain management or related curriculum

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

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.

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

$100000 - $125000 / year