Senior Procurement Specialist

Crescent Foods; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Crescent Foods, based in Chicago, is seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of high-quality goods that meet food safety standards. The role requires collaboration across various departments to maintain inventory and supplier relationships.

The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of procurement experience, particularly in the food and beverage sector, and possess strong analytical and negotiation skills. Knowledge of food safety laws and ERP systems is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of procurement experience in the food or beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of food safety standards and supplier audits.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely acquisition of high-quality goods.
• Collaborate with various departments for product distribution.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels and minimize excess stock.

Skills

Knowledge of food safety laws

Time management

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Food Science, Business

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)

Job description

About The Role

The Senior Procurement Specialist ensures timely, cost-effective acquisition of high-quality goods that meet food safety standards and regulatory requirements. This collaborative role partners with production control, quality assurance, warehouse operations, receiving, shipping, and planning. The specialist follows procedures for Finished Packaged Goods, Raw Material, and Packaging Material to maintain accurate purchasing levels, minimize excess inventory, reduce carrying costs, and avoid storage issues. The ideal candidate has deep knowledge of food supply chains, vendor management, and procurement best practices. Traditional hours apply, but occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required to meet customers’ needs.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Conduct an inventory periodically.
• Recommend replenishments for items after inventory process to keep production running.
• Review and prepare requisitions to accurately create purchase orders for the acquisition of materials.
• Design all quotes for new and existing vendors.
• Recommend improvements to all deliveries and process all purchase order requests.
• Design and implement various cost‑effective strategies.
• Monitor inventory of all repair parts and general supplies.
• Evaluate all purchase requisitions and maintain accuracy according to department’s procedures.
• Monitor all purchase orders and maintain regular follow‑up with all suppliers.
• Monitor all control costs of purchase materials and ensure achievement of all targets.
• Monitor all inventory of products and prepare all purchase plans to meet sales demands with accuracy.
• Maintain regular contact with vendors and suppliers.
• Process returns, exchanges within 24 hours.
• Work with specific software to maintain and access records, invoices, purchase orders and bidding contracts.
• Build good business relationships with vendors to result in better service and prices.
• Report weekly all aspects of tasks completed throughout the week.
• Assist with the end‑to‑end supply chain solutions for inbound freight delivery across the Crescent Foods enterprise from supplier to Crescent Foods operating companies, or other fiscal entities.
• Assisting with overseeing the inventory management process, defining departmental strategies for appropriate inventory levels and identifying improvement opportunities by assessing current processes/practices.
• Update warehouse management sheets and system with corrected inventory counts or product moves.
• Maintain a stock control system that provides accurate and up‑to‑date information concerning stock orders.
• Receive and check goods received at Crescent Foods, following policies and procedures.
• Analyze sales statistics on stock ranges with the Purchasing Manager to ensure we are meeting customer demands.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Review sales forecasts; compare results and update as appropriate.
• Check all invoice discrepancies involving vendors in your area of responsibility. Correct and have the purchasing manager approve and return to accounting in a timely manner.
• Respond to the various departments within the organization who may need information regarding vendors, product deliveries, etc.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed to complete count duties.
• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL NEED:

• Knowledge of state, local and federal food safety laws including SQF, USDA, GMP’s, CCP, HACCP, SSOPs and SOPs, Food Defense and Food Safety Culture guidelines and regulations.
• Time management, business acumen, collaboration, decision‑making and always using ethical conduct.
• Proficient in standard business Microsoft office software.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and organizational skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in written and verbal English.
• Proven ability to think independently and handle multiple projects through to completion record of successfully collaborating with management and peers.
• Demonstrated independent work initiative, sound judgment, diplomacy, analytical ability and professional demeanor.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Food Science, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of procurement experience, with at least 2 years in the food or beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of food safety standards, ingredient sourcing, and supplier audits.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and procurement platforms.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, CIPS) are a plus.
• Familiarity with sourcing and import/export regulations for food products.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Passion for food quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Physical And Environmental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed mostly in a back‑office warehouse setting; hand‑eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office and logistics equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. PPE required while in manufacturing areas. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

It is Crescent Foods’ policy to seek and employ qualified people in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the job. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.