Sr. Buyer - Procurement

Ultipro; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Voluntary coverages

Job summary

Tropicana Brands Group in Chicago, IL is seeking a Sr. Buyer to lead strategic sourcing, supplier management, and commercial execution for assigned raw material and ingredient categories across North America.

You will develop and execute sourcing strategies, drive cost savings, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align procurement with business goals. Requirements include 5+ years in procurement or category management, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, strong negotiation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, operations, or a related field.
• 5+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, purchasing, or category management.
• Experience leading RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier negotiations, and supplier relationship management.
• Strong analytical and market intelligence skills.
• Must be located in Chicago, IL or surrounding area and authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Execute sourcing strategies for assigned raw materials and ingredients across North America.
• Lead supplier discovery, market analysis, RFIs/RFPs/RFQs, bid evaluations, negotiations, and onboarding.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor KPIs related to cost, quality, delivery, and service.
• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Quality, and Finance to align sourcing with objectives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost modeling; drive cost savings and productivity improvements.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Commercial negotiations

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Excel

Power BI

SAP

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Job description

Tropicana Headquarters
525 W Van Buren St
Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Description

Fresh-Squeezed Legacy, Bold New Chapter

Tropicana Brands Group is a $3B+ startup aiming to revolutionize the beverage category. Formed in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo, our portfolio includes iconic brands like Tropicana, Naked, KeVita, Izze, Copella, and Punica. With over 76 years of global leadership in the orange juice category, we’re committed to preserving this legacy while driving innovation in other areas. From reimagining orange juice to creating functional smoothies and driving afternoon refreshments, we are striving to become the undisputed global leader in fresh and chilled beverages.

The Supply Chain function is essential to Tropicana Brand Group’s success by enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products. By improving warehouse operations, optimizing transportation routes, and refining inventory management practices, the team plays a critical role in streamlining processes. Collaborating with other departments to align strategies, the Supply Chain team ensures that Tropicana meets customer demands while maintaining a high standard of performance and cost-effectiveness. Through their efforts, they contribute to both short-term achievements and long-term growth.

Your Next Pour: The Opportunity

This position is responsible for the strategic sourcing, supplier management, and commercial execution of assigned raw material and ingredient categories across North America. The Sr. Buyer develops and executes sourcing strategies that drive value through supplier partnerships, market intelligence, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives. As a strategic procurement partner, the Sr. Buyer is responsible for delivering measurable business value through cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity improvements, supplier performance enhancements, working capital optimization, and supply assurance. Leveraging analytics, commodity expertise, and cross-functional collaboration, this role supports business objectives through effective sourcing strategies, supplier relationship management, and data-driven decision making. Additional responsibilities include:

Strategic Sourcing & Category Support-

• Execute sourcing strategies for assigned raw material and ingredient categories in alignment with business objectives and category priorities.
• Lead sourcing projects including supplier discovery, market analysis, RFI/RFP/RFQ processes, bid evaluations, negotiations, contracting, implementation, and supplier onboarding.
• Conduct commercial negotiations and develop fact-based sourcing recommendations utilizing market intelligence, cost modeling, and supplier assessments.
• Identify and execute value creation opportunities through cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity improvements, and supplier-led innovation.
• Utilize spend analysis, supplier benchmarking, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles to support sourcing decisions.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to align sourcing activities with operational, financial, quality, and innovation objectives.
• Maintain contract compliance and identify opportunities to improve cost, service, quality, and supply assurance.
• Manage supplier relationships and serve as the primary procurement contact for assigned suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance against established KPIs related to quality, delivery, service, cost, and responsiveness.
• Lead supplier business reviews and performance discussions to drive continuous improvement and accountability.
• Partner with suppliers to identify cost, productivity, innovation, and service improvement opportunities.
• Support supplier qualification, onboarding, risk assessments, and development activities.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve supply, quality, and commercial issues while minimizing business disruption.
• Support supply continuity and risk mitigation through effective supplier management and contingency planning.

Commodity & Market Intelligence-

• Monitor ingredient and commodity markets, including pricing trends, supply-demand dynamics, and key market drivers impacting cost and availability.
• Track commodity indices, supplier cost structures, and market conditions to support sourcing decisions, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Develop and communicate market intelligence and pricing insights into procurement leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Identify supply, market, and pricing risks and support development of mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate supplier pricing proposals and cost drivers to support negotiations and value creation initiatives.
• Utilize market intelligence and analytics to identify opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, and productivity improvements.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and business planning through commodity analysis and cost projections.

Procurement Analytics & Value Management-

• Analyze spend data, pricing trends, supplier performance metrics, and procurement opportunities to support decision-making.
• Develop cost models, savings analyses, and business cases for sourcing initiatives.
• Track and report procurement savings, cost avoidance, and productivity performance.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities related to ingredient spend.

Cross-Functional Collaboration-

• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Quality, and Finance teams to support business objectives, product innovation, and supplier-related initiatives.
• Participate in commercialization projects, ingredient transitions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Support inventory, supply continuity, and contingency planning efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure procurement activities align with regulatory, quality, sustainability, and corporate requirements.

The Perfect Blend: Experience

• 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, purchasing, or category management, preferably within food, beverage, ingredients, agriculture, or consumer packaged goods industries.
• Experience leading sourcing projects, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and supplier relationship management.
• Knowledge of ingredient and commodity markets, including pricing mechanisms, market dynamics, supply chain drivers, and risk management principles.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including spend analysis, cost modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and data-driven decision making.
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings, cost avoidance, process improvements, and supplier performance enhancements.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation, communication, project management, and relationship management skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with SAP, Power BI, and procurement analytics tools preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Finance, Operations, or a related field required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future
• Must be located in Chicago, IL surrounding area or willing to relocate for the duration of employment.
• Willingness to adapt and thrive in a blended work environment with 3-days in office, seamlessly transitioning between remote work and in-office operations

Perks That Pack a Punch

TBG is pleased to offer you a comprehensive benefits package which includes a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, company provided life, STD and LTD insurance. In addition, you may also elect to participate in voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverages.

Salary Range for this position is $70,000-$96,000

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.