Strategic Purchasing Manager - Food & Beverage

Lighthouse Hiring; Ontario (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lighthouse Hiring seeks a results-driven Purchasing Manager to lead procurement strategy for raw materials, packaging, and indirect goods. You will align with Production, Planning, Quality, Finance, and Logistics to ensure continuity of supply at optimal cost while meeting food safety and regulatory standards.

You will supervise supplier qualification, lead negotiations, monitor performance, and develop the purchasing team to deliver savings and improve total landed cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration.
• 4+ years in procurement or supply chain, including 4+ years in a leadership role, preferably in food & beverage or consumer goods manufacturing.
• Advanced Excel and ERP system knowledge; Business Central experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the purchasing strategy for raw materials, packaging materials, and indirect goods and services, aligned with the production plan and business objectives.
• Develop, qualify, and manage the supplier base, including approval of new suppliers together with Quality, and maintain alternative sources for critical materials.
• Lead negotiations of prices, contracts, payment terms, and supply agreements, ensuring a competitive total landed cost (price, freight, duties, and lead times).
• Ensure material availability in coordination with Demand and Production Planning, managing MOQs, lead times, safety stocks, and purchasing calendars to avoid line stoppages.
• Supervise purchase order issuance, follow-up, and ERP accuracy (Business Central), including approval workflows and compliance with internal policies.
• Monitor supplier performance (OTIF, quality, non-conformities, claims) and lead corrective actions and supplier development plans.
• Track market trends, commodity prices, and supply risks (crop seasons, tariffs, currency), proposing mitigation strategies and cost-saving initiatives.
• Coordinate with Quality to ensure suppliers meet specifications, certifications, and food safety requirements (e.g., GFSI, allergen, and traceability documentation).
• Manage packaging material development and changes (artwork, specifications, reprints) together with Marketing, Quality, and Production.
• Control the purchasing budget, report KPIs and savings to management, and support the definition of budgets and standard costs with Finance.
• Lead, train, and develop the purchasing team.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Negotiation skills

Supply chain management

ERP knowledge

Advanced Excel

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering / Supply Chain / Business Administration

Tools

Business Central

Job description

Lighthouse Hiring seeks a results-driven Purchasing Manager to lead procurement strategy for raw materials, packaging, and indirect goods. You will align with Production, Planning, Quality, Finance, and Logistics to ensure continuity of supply at optimal cost while meeting food safety and regulatory standards.

You will supervise supplier qualification, lead negotiations, monitor performance, and develop the purchasing team to deliver savings and improve total landed cost.