Procurement Buyer

Cleveland Kitchen; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland Kitchen is seeking a Procurement Buyer to manage packaging and MRO sourcing for manufacturing operations. You will build supplier relationships, obtain quotations, and support vendor negotiations to ensure quality and reliability.

You will coordinate with R&D, Operations, Quality, and Marketing on new product launches, packaging changes, and procurement readiness, while tracking KPIs for cost savings and supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, operations, finance, or related field.
• 1-5 years of procurement/purchasing/supply chain experience in manufacturing or CPG.
• Experience purchasing packaging materials, MRO supplies, or production components is a plus.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and inventory management.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and purchasing reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Monitor and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving

Multitasking in fast-paced environment

Excel proficiency

Education

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

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Purchasing reporting

Job description

Job Title: Procurement Buyer (Packaging & MRO)

Department: Supply Chain

Reports to: Planning & Procurement Manager

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.