Lief Labs is a premier formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements. Our in-house Product Development and R&D team create the best-tasting and most cutting-edge formulations of supplements. Lief also houses a state-of-the-art, full-service Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) manufacturing facility, which offers custom solutions for a multitude of supplement categories. Lief collaborates with entrepreneurial firms to help them build premier brands. Our turnkey solutions allow us to engage in seamless partnerships that help brands with scalability and sustainable growth. The company is based in Valencia, CA.

Summary

The Senior Buyer will manage our procurement activities and will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating and purchasing materials, equipment and supplies from various vendors, while ensuring timely delivery, quality and cost-effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned material category, ensuring purchase orders are placed on time.
• Obtaining purchase order acknowledgements and coordinating inbound logistics.
• Manage material list pricing and own cost savings initiatives.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies to meet the company's goals and objectives.
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers based on quality, delivery, pricing and other factors.
• Negotiate contracts, terms and conditions with suppliers, and manage vendor relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve any issues that arise.
• Conduct market research and stay up to date on industry trends to identify new suppliers, products and services.
• Work with cross-functional teams to forecast demand, plan inventory levels and optimize supply chain efficiency.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, inventory and supplier contracts.
• Manage and mentor a team of junior buyers, and provide guidance and training as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities

Work Environment:

The office is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated. Noise levels are considered low to moderate. Field conditions vary. Exposed to various raw materials, including allergens (i.e., milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanuts, wheat, soy).

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management or a related field preferred, equivalent experience will be considered.

Skills/ Abilities

• Sourcing
• Strategic Planning
• Vendor Management
• Analytical
• Problem Solving
• Planning & Organizing
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Relationship Management
• Time Management
• Ability to interact at all levels
• Ability to work as a team member
• Flexibility/ adaptability/ multi-tasking

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in procurement as a buyer, preferably in the nutraceutical or food and beverage manufacturing industries.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with ERP systems.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Manufacturing Methods and Procedures Knowledge of ERP systems.

Work Environment

The office is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated. Noise levels are considered low to moderate. Field conditions vary.

Exposed to various raw materials, including allergens (i.e. milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanuts, wheat, soy).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear and speak. May be required to work in restricted spaces and/or under difficult lighting and access conditions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-50 pounds and be able to use appropriate support equipment to lift and move greater amounts. Must be able to stand for approximately 8 hours.

Must be able to work independently, in a team environment, and drive projects to solutions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to use properly use such safety equipment as is appropriate to the work to prevent injury to self or others.

Additional Information
The Salary Range for this position at Lief Labs is $75,000-$90,000.00 (USD). Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to market demands, experience, training, skills, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, wellness benefits, education reimbursement program, and PTO. This position is bonus eligible.

Lief is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, contact the Lief Human Resources department.

Lief will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Lief uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility in the United States. E-Verify compares the information on your Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to official government records.