Materials Buyer

Smithfield Support Services Corp; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Benefits package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Materials Buyer to coordinate, execute, and optimize procurement for production materials. You will support the Materials Manager, manage supplier relations, and drive cost-effective sourcing to ensure uninterrupted production.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years in procurement or materials management, plus strong MS Office skills, negotiation ability, and attention to detail. Travel up to 25% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four‑year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong negotiation and detail orientation.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute purchase orders for assigned material categories, ensuring accuracy and timely alignment with production schedules.
• Monitor inventory levels and adjust purchasing plans to prevent shortages or excess stock.
• Track supplier performance, delivery accuracy, and lead-time adherence; assist with supplier qualification and audits.
• Maintain accurate material master data, pricing, lead times, and supplier information; prepare reports on availability and cost trends.
• Assist in implementing sourcing strategies and supplier evaluations; provide analytical support for negotiations.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Communication

Planning

Negotiation

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Have a seat at our table. 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 Materials Buyer is responsible for coordinating, executing, and optimizing the procurement of materials required to support uninterrupted production. The Materials Buyer supports the Materials Manager by contributing to sourcing initiatives, resolving supply issues, and maintaining strong supplier performance.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Procurement & Planning

Execute purchase orders for assigned material categories, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with production schedules. Monitor inventory levels and adjust purchasing plans to prevent shortages or excess stock. Analyze material usage trends and collaborate with planning teams to forecast requirements.

Supplier Coordination

Serve as the primary point of contact for day‑to‑day supplier communication. Track supplier performance, delivery accuracy, and lead‑time adherence; escrow issues when necessary. Support supplier qualification, audits, and corrective action processes.

Data & Process Management

Maintain accurate material master data, pricing, lead times, and supplier information. Prepare reports on material availability, cost trends, and supply risks. Identify opportunities to streamline procurement workflows and improve material flow efficiency.

Issue Resolution

Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to deliveries, quality issues, or invoice mismatches. Coordinate with Quality, Production, and Logistics teams to address material‑related disruptions.

Support to Materials Manager

Assist in implementing sourcing strategies, cost‑reduction initiatives, and supplier improvement plans. Provide analytical support for negotiations and supplier evaluations. Act as backup for the Materials Manager during absences for routine operational decisions.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four‑year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Strong knowledge Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel). Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Good planning, organizational and execution skills. Ability to meet deadlines and established goals and objectives in a fast‑paced environment. Strong negotiation skills. Strong attention to detail and accuracy. Able to travel up to 25% of the time. Work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment. Respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

Prior SAP experience, 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. Capable of sitting for extended periods of time. Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to sit; stand; walk; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Able to travel as needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

IndSPR-Corp

IndSPR-Corp The expected pay range for this position is $55,000 - $82,500 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. Relocation Package Available

Relocation Package Available

Learn more about our benefits package here.

No 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 inSmithfield, 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.