SENIOR BUYER

Vita Foods, Inc.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Vita Foods, Inc. is seeking a Senior Buyer responsible for purchasing raw materials, ingredients, and packaging. You will negotiate with suppliers, maintain records, and ensure audit readiness while aligning with our Code of Ethics and safety standards. This role requires strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and 5–10 years in purchasing, with supervisory experience and ERP software knowledge such as Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a business-related field.
• 5–10 years of progressive purchasing experience in food manufacturing.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Experience with electronic business software; Microsoft Dynamics GP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate with suppliers for best price and service.
• Maintain supplier files and ensure audit readiness.
• Monitor document expirations and ensure compliance with certifications.
• Coordinate with Quality, Receiving, and Accounts Payable to ensure timely deliveries and payments.
• Develop new supplier sources and manage bids with at least two suppliers.

Skills

Negotiation

MS Office

Documentation management

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Job description

Responsible for the purchasing of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging for the Company. In addition, they are responsible for maintaining the supplier records, both physical and electronic, and maintaining the integrity of record keeping systems. The purchasing function requires strategic planning, data entry among other tasks.

The Senior Buyer will negotiate with suppliers for the best price and service that meet the minimum standards for all items purchased.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Negotiates with suppliers under the guidelines of our Code of Ethics and Company practices and policies.
• Responsible for keeping all required supplier files up-do-date. This is done by monitoring expiration dates of all supplier required documents

Communicate with Suppliers the Company’s policies regarding product specifications, lot# limitations, and booking receiving appointments

• Ensuring compliance with all ASC/MSC/OU certification requirements and having them “audit ready” at all times
• Support the Company’s FSMA Initiatives
• Researches and expands new supply sources where suppliers are inadequate or incapable to meet our minimum standards.
• Vets new potential suppliers through the Company’s New Vendor Qualification Program
• Seeks competitive bids for all purchases (minimum of 2 suppliers), analyzes bids and makes awards
• Negotiates contracts when appropriate and monitors market costs during the term
• Updates BOM’s when price changes are unavoidable and communicates this with the Corporate Controller.
• Verifies appropriate approvals and account numbers for Purchase Orders
• Works closely with Quality and Receiving Departments to ensure proper supplies arrive and Accounts Payable to ensure payments are made on time
• Monitors timeliness of Purchase Order deliveries and researches and delinquent arrivals
• Follows environmental and safety regulations and acts in compliance with US laws
• Complies with safety and corporate guidelines
• Aid in the development and implementation of Food Safety Fundamentals and Food Safety Plan as outlined in the BRCGS system
• Has the authority to take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the BRCGS system

Understands how to interpret and implement material needs based on production schedules and forecasts

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education • Bachelor Degree or greater, in a business related field

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Sound Decision-Making skills
• Proficient with MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Excellent Organizational skills
• Ability to communicate professionally with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 5 to 10 years of progressive purchasing experience, preferably in a food manufacturing environment
• Prior supervision of staff required
• Previous experience with electronic business software required
• Prior experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP or related Business Software required
• Knowledge and implementation of Food Safety Initiatives a plus
• Knowledge of Seafood Purchasing a plus

GENERAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

General HACCP Training

GMP

General Allergen

Hearing Protection

Machine Guarding

PPE

Slips, Trips and Falls

Team Affiliations:

BRCGS TEAM

HACCP TEAM

RECALL TEAM