Procurement Buyer

Cleveland Kitchen; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland Kitchen in Cleveland, OH is seeking a Procurement Buyer (Packaging & MRO) to manage sourcing and purchasing for packaging materials, MRO supplies, and other indirect goods supporting manufacturing operations.

You will develop and maintain supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, and supply reliability; obtain quotations, run competitive bidding, and support vendor negotiations; identify new suppliers to improve cost, service, and resilience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing and procurement of packaging materials, MRO supplies, and other indirect goods supporting manufacturing operations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Job Title: Procurement Buyer (Packaging & MRO)

Department: Supply Chain

Reports to: Supply Chain Director

Status: Onsite, Full time

OUR MISSION:

Cleveland Kitchen is on a mission to elevate everyday meals with fresh, flavorful, and gut-healthy fermented foods that empower people to feel good from the inside out.

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Manage sourcing and procurement of packaging materials, MRO supplies, and other indirect goods supporting manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, and supply reliability.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, conduct competitive bidding activities, and support vendor negotiations.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to improve cost, service, and supply chain resilience.

Cost Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Monitor and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) performance against budget and standard costs.
• Support cost reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations, sourcing strategies, and spend analysis.
• Analyze pricing trends and market conditions to identify savings opportunities and mitigate cost increases.
• Contribute to long‑term sourcing strategies and procurement plans aligned with business growth objectives.

Inventory & Material Management

• Manage inventory levels for packaging and MRO materials to support production while minimizing excess inventory.
• Coordinate purchasing activities through ERP/MRP systems to ensure material availability.
• Oversee off‑site inventory balances, third‑party warehouse inventory, and material reconciliation activities.
• Coordinate inventory transfers between facilities, warehouses, and co‑manufacturers as required.
• Monitor supplier lead times and proactively address supply risks and shortages.

Product Development & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with R&D, Operations, Quality, and Marketing teams to support new product launches and packaging changes.
• Source new materials, obtain samples, and coordinate supplier qualifications for development projects.
• Ensure procurement readiness for new products, packaging transitions, and commercialization activities.

Operational Excellence

• Create and manage purchase orders while tracking supplier performance and delivery commitments.
• Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, and item master data within ERP/MRP systems.
• Develop and track KPIs related to cost savings, supplier performance, inventory management, and service levels.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain processes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field.
• 1–5 years of procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or materials management experience in manufacturing, food, beverage, or CPG environments.
• Experience purchasing packaging materials, MRO supplies, or production‑related components is a plus.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and inventory management principles.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and purchasing‑related reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.