Senior Ingredient Buyer: Strategic Sourcing & Savings

CEDARLANE NATURAL FOODS LLC; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CEDARLANE NATURAL FOODS LLC in Carson, CA is seeking a Senior Buyer to own procurement for frozen and refrigerated prepared meals, leading supplier negotiations and cost-management while ensuring food safety and supply continuity. The role requires deep experience in ingredient categories and strong ERP/MRP use.

You will drive sourcing strategy, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with QA, R&D, Planning, and Finance to meet production targets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Direct experience buying ingredient commodities with exposure to price volatility.
• Proven negotiation track record with measurable cost savings.
• Strong working knowledge of MRP and ERP systems and purchasing workflows.
• Solid Excel skills for cost comparisons and supplier scorecards.
• Understanding of GMPs, food safety, and supplier approval processes.
• Excellent communication across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier negotiations and manage contracts for assigned categories.
• Own day-to-day procurement from planning to purchase orders.
• Maintain sourcing strategy and supplier qualification pipeline.
• Monitor costs, risks, and supply continuity with contingency plans.
• Collaborate with QA, R&D, Planning, and Finance.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation

ERP/MRP knowledge

Excel skills

Food safety knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field

CPSM/CSCP/APICS certification

Tools

xTuple ERP

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

CEDARLANE NATURAL FOODS LLC in Carson, CA is seeking a Senior Buyer to own procurement for frozen and refrigerated prepared meals, leading supplier negotiations and cost-management while ensuring food safety and supply continuity. The role requires deep experience in ingredient categories and strong ERP/MRP use.

You will drive sourcing strategy, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with QA, R&D, Planning, and Finance to meet production targets.