Buyer

Job Title: Buyer

Department: Supply Chain Reports To: Director of Procurement Location: Madisonville, LA

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Buyer oversees the daily purchasing of ingredients and packaging materials needed to support production and customer demand. This role manages sourcing, forecasting, raw material planning, and cost-effectiveness efforts while collaborating closely with sales, production, warehouse, quality, and supply chain teams. The Buyer is responsible for improving supply accuracy, reducing waste, optimizing inventory levels, and strengthening supplier relationships to support financial forecasting and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

· Manage day-to-day activities related to strategic and tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory levels, warehousing, and receiving.

· Prepare and process purchase orders for raw materials and resolve supplier claims. Confirm pricing, quantities, and delivery dates with suppliers.

· Monitor forecasts and quotas to identify changes and predict effects on supply chain activities.

· Analyze and maintain raw material inventory levels by partnering with Inventory Control, Warehouse Management, and Quality to ensure FIFO/FEFO rotation to reduce waste and identify potential risk and impact to the supply chain.

· Identify and execute supply chain strategies aimed at cost reduction, supply assurance, and improved efficiency.

· Collaborate with the production scheduler to forecast demand and ensure raw materials are available to support on-time production.

· Prepare RFQs and negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers, vendors, logistics providers, and contract managers.

· Coordinate with 3PLs to ensure timely pickup and delivery of inbound loads. Manage transportation costs through consolidation, rate negotiations, and freight optimization.

· Assist with claims related to damaged, missing, or non-conforming raw materials or packaging.

· Monitor supplier performance and evaluate their ability to meet quality and on-time delivery requirements.

· Participate in engineering changes, automation projects, new raw materials, customer line extensions, and product launches to ensure timely transitions in material flow and supply readiness.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership Behaviors

· Act as an Owner: Create value for the business and stakeholders.

· Collaboration: Build strong working relationships across functional teams.

· Inspire Others: Demonstrate passion, positivity, and determination.

· Drive Innovation: Identify and implement new solutions to enhance performance.

Qualifications

Required

· High school diploma.

· 2 years of related experience in a food manufacturing business.

· Strong knowledge of supply chain regulations and policies.

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, deductive reasoning, and decision-making skills.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work well with a variety of personalities.

· Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of the organization.

· Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

· Strong Excel and presentation skills.

Preferred

· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Management, or related field.

· Supply chain–related certifications.

· 5 years of related experience in food manufacturing.