Purchasing Planner

Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc; Merrillville (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc. is seeking a Purchasing Planner to manage procurement of materials, negotiate with vendors, and optimize inventory to support production schedules. The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams and adherence to company policies.

You will evaluate supplier performance, onboard new vendors, and maintain ERP-driven records to ensure timely deliveries while driving cost efficiencies. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing and vendor management.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to plan, forecast, and manage inventory.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers to ensure best value.
• Source and onboard new vendors while maintaining strong relationships.
• Manage purchase orders and track shipments to ensure on-time delivery.
• Maintain vendor files and ensure paperwork is audit-ready.
• Collaborate with other departments to align procurement with production.

Skills

Purchasing

Inventory control

Materials planning

Vendor negotiation

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

ERP software

Vendor management system

Job description

UNDERSTANDING

The Purchasing Planner position is a key role within our strategic plan for ACG Supply Chain. An enthusiastic self-starter with a strong drive to improve existing processes and systems. Excellent organizational skills, ability to balance immediate and long-term priorities. Exceptional multitasking skills are a necessity. The Purchasing Planner is comfortable negotiating and discussing financial information.

Brief Description

UNDERSTANDING

The Purchasing Planner position is a key role within our strategic plan for ACG Supply Chain. An enthusiastic self-starter with a strong drive to improve existing processes and systems. Excellent organizational skills, ability to balance immediate and long-term priorities. Exceptional multitasking skills are a necessity. The Purchasing Planner is comfortable negotiating and discussing financial information.

This individual is responsible for purchasing and negotiating materials, equipment, and supplies from vendors. They evaluate vendor performance and hold suppliers accountable. The Purchasing Planner is familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the supply chain.

They build the strongest of relationships with supporting departments by being upfront and collaborative with team leaders from other departments. They guide themselves by the core principles of ACG, require creativity from themselves and drive a “nothing is impossible” attitude while viewing issues as direct challenges to better themselves.

CORE VALUES

Our 5 Core Values are more than just words, they’re a way of life. We know that companies with a strong culture & a higher purpose perform better in the long run.

• Own It
• Hustle and Refuse to Settle
• Love People
• Act for the Greater Good
• Find a way

WORKING RELATIONSHIP

• Reports to the Purchasing Manager.
• Communicates regularly and has a strong relationship with team members in multiple departments.
• Communicates and meets periodically with other departmental leaders.

Responsibilities

Vendor Management

• Assist in negotiating initial pricing, price changes, and other terms and conditions with suppliers to obtain the best return at the most cost-effective prices possible while retaining quality specifications.
• Assist in sourcing and onboarding new vendor relationships.
• Maintain working professional relationships with all assigned suppliers.
• Maintain strong working relationships and communications directly with co-workers, suppliers, vendors, and contract manufacturers to confirm production/shipping schedules and monitor open purchase orders to ensure on-time deliveries.
• Review suppliers and take correct action to improve the performance of non-performing suppliers.
• Communicate with vendors regarding requirements, capacities, and schedules.
• Maintain vendor files in software system(s) to ensure necessary paperwork is up to date for audits.
• Obtain samples, product information, pricing, and product specifications as needed.
• Effectively manage material/vendor returns, etc.

Planning

• Plan and execute procurement of finished goods, raw materials, and/or packaging from manufacturers and suppliers using ERP system ensuring timely placement and delivery of components in line with production planning requirements.
• Manage inventory on a continuous basis and maintain proper levels to ensure product line objectives are met while optimizing inventory to ensure custom demand is met with consideration of expiration dates, product quality, and warehousing space.
• Maintain purchase order status and shipment tracking information in ERP system including expediting and rescheduling open purchase orders to suit production planning requirements.
• Escalate and advise to appropriate people/departments schedule conflicts/status, material availability and potential problems relative to meeting demand and within company guidelines and gain approval for adding to delivered cost.
• Assist and lead in sourcing and onboarding new ingredients and/or finished goods.
• Communicate and collaborate with Supply Chain regarding procurement information relating to vendors, customers, and capacity.

General Duties

• Work may be part of specialty team, as an individual or consultant contributor or a combination of both
• Develop policies and procedures as part of the procurement team.
• Review and resolve invoice discrepancies.
• Complete special projects and assignments as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal skills – team player
• Hard worker who is a self-starter and proactive
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of production and processing
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Quick Learner
• 3+ years’ experience in purchasing, inventory control, materials planning preferred but not required.
• Great verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.