MRO Purchasing Agent

Shearer's Foods, Inc.; Burlington (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Shearer’s Foods, a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, is seeking an MRO Purchaser to plan and execute procurement of maintenance and operating supplies, and to source, negotiate, and contract services for the plant. This role focuses on optimizing asset use, ensuring quality, and maintaining supply continuity while controlling total cost.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years in indirect purchasing (MRO preferred), experience in food manufacturing, solid knowledge of purchasing processes, and

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in indirect inventory purchasing (MRO preferred).
• Experience in Food or CPG manufacturing environments.
• In-depth knowledge of purchasing processes and practices.
• Experience with inventory management or CMMS software (Maintenance Connection preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develops supply and sourcing strategies including RFIs, RFPs, and bids.
• Leads sourcing initiatives with timelines and deliverables; communicates status to leadership.
• Researches cost-saving opportunities and presents to stakeholders.
• Develops continuous improvement plans to reduce direct material costs.
• Collaborates with maintenance teams to set min/max stocking levels and reorder points.
• Develops strategic supplier relationships and negotiates contract prices.
• Monitors supplier performance against goals and documents results.
• Performs additional duties as assigned; supports operations as needed.

Skills

Purchasing experience

CPG manufacturing experience

Purchasing processes

CMMS software

Tools

Maintenance Connection

Job description

Overview

Shearer’s Foods, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Massillon, OH, is a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Specializing in private label and co-manufacturing, Shearer’s is the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks and second-largest supplier of private brand cookies and crackers.

With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer’s has been awarded the food industry’s highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards.

Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer’s is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community.

At Shearer’s Foods, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.

Responsibilities

MRO Purchaser

The MRO Purchaser position is responsible for planning and executing and procurement and distribution of all maintenance and operating supplies, as well as for sourcing, negotiating, and contracting office and plant services. This position optimizes the use of company assets in the acquisition of assigned materials ensuring quality and continuity of supply while minimizing total cost.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops supply and sourcing strategies including requests for information, requests for proposal, and competitive bids
• Leads sourcing initiatives including timelines and deliverables to drive best value and effectively communicate status, work activities, and issues to leadership
• Research cost saving opportunities and presents opportunities to stakeholders
• Develops and manages continuous improvement activities to achieve greater maintenance customer satisfaction
• Develops continuous improvement plans to reduce direct material costs
• Collaborate with maintenance team to evaluate and set min/max stocking levels and inventory reorder points
• Develops strategic supplier relationships
• Negotiates contract prices
• Develop budget estimates and forecasts for MRO supplies
• Manages supplier compliance to agreements within the scope and authority of the position
• Monitors functions and supplier’s performance against goals, analyzes and documents results

Performs additional duties as assigned. Supports operations as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in indirect inventory purchasing (MRO preferred)
• Experience in Food or CPG manufacturing environments
• In-depth working knowledge of purchasing process and practices
• Experience with purchasing using inventory management or CMMS software (Maintenance Connection preferred)

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.