Purchasing Category Manager

Reser's Fine Foods; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

AD&D

Life insurance

401(k) with discretionary match

Wellness programs

Paid time off

Company paid holidays

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Reser’s Fine Foods is seeking a Category Manager in Purchasing to lead sourcing for assigned ingredient categories, manage supplier relationships, and support product development and manufacturing strategies. The role requires strong negotiation, cross-functional collaboration, and project ownership in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

The position reports to the Director of Purchasing and is based in a corporate setting.

Qualifications

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for ingredient categories.
• Onboard new suppliers to support cost savings and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with R&D, Food Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Operations and suppliers to meet requirements.
• Lead supplier discovery, RFQs, RFPs, bid analysis and award recommendations.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned ingredient categories.
• Onboard new and alternate suppliers to support cost savings and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with R&D, Food Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Operations and suppliers to meet product requirements.
• Lead supplier discovery, RFQs, RFPs, bid analysis, and supplier awards.
• Negotiate pricing and terms to optimize value.

Skills

Sourcing strategies

Supplier management

Negotiation

RFQ/RFP processes

Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Purchasing/Supply Chain

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to help employees live a healthier life, build rewarding careers and save for the future. Reser’s offers choices whenever possible, because we recognize the diverse and ever-changing needs of our employees. Full-time employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, AD&D, life, 401(k) with discretionary match, wellness programs, paid time off, company paid holidays and a variety of voluntary benefit options.

We strive to be Employer of Choice. As one of our five cornerstones, this means that we go all-out to create an environment that shows we are committed to investing in employee growth and creating a culture of belonging where employees what to build a lasting career.

Visit our website to learn more about our competitive benefit programs - www.resers.com/careers/#benefits

Reser’s Fine Foods - Job Description

Title: Category Manager- Purchasing FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Corporate

Job Family: Purchasing

Reports to: Director- Purchasing

Career Track/Level: P3

Job Summary:

The Category Manager is responsible for developing, sourcing, negotiating, and managing assigned ingredient categories that support Reser's procurement, food safety, product development, and manufacturing strategies. This role leads domestic and international ingredient sourcing efforts, evaluates supplier capability and risk, supports R&D and commercialization projects, and ensures reliable supply, competitive cost, compliant documentation, and consistent material performance across Reser's facilities. The position requires strong supplier management, assertive negotiation, project ownership, forecasting discipline, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced corporate food manufacturing environment.

Essential Position Functions:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned ingredient categories, including domestic and international suppliers, brokers, importers, and manufacturers.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard new and alternate ingredient suppliers to support cost savings, innovation, business continuity, risk mitigation, and supply assurance.
• Partner closely with R&D, Food Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, Plant Purchasing, Commercialization, and suppliers to source ingredients that meet product performance, food safety, labeling, compliance, specification, and production requirements.
• Lead supplier discovery, RFQs, RFPs, bid analysis, supplier comparisons, and award recommendations using cost, quality, service, risk, lead time, capacity, documentation, and total value as decision criteria.
• Negotiate pricing