What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at Gehl Food & Beverage?
Description
Why join our team?
Reporting to the Purchasing Coach or Purchasing Manager, the Buyer is responsible for procuring materials, supplies, equipment, and services to support production and operational needs across multiple facilities and departments. This position plays a key role in ensuring the timely availability of quality materials while optimizing inventory levels, controlling costs, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. The Buyer works collaboratively with internal teams and external suppliers to drive purchasing efficiencies, resolve supply chain challenges, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Why join our team?
- Full benefits package – medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match
- Generous PTO & holidays
- Growth opportunities to expand skillsets & enhance career
- Amazing team & culture focused on: Communication | Community | Wellness
- Tuition reimbursement
- HSA Medical plan option with annual company contribution
- Referral bonus program
- Perks at Work – discounts on shopping, travel & more
- Proven continued business growth for future opportunities
Reporting to the Purchasing Coach or Purchasing Manager, the Buyer is responsible for procuring materials, supplies, equipment, and services to support production and operational needs across multiple facilities and departments. This position plays a key role in ensuring the timely availability of quality materials while optimizing inventory levels, controlling costs, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. The Buyer works collaboratively with internal teams and external suppliers to drive purchasing efficiencies, resolve supply chain challenges, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Purchasing & Procurement: Create, process, and manage purchase orders to ensure materials, supplies, and equipment are available to meet production schedules, inventory requirements, and contractual obligations.
- Supplier Coordination: Request, evaluate, and compare supplier quotes and bids to support purchasing decisions that balance cost, quality, service, and delivery requirements.
- Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels and purchasing activity to maintain material availability, minimize excess inventory, and support efficient operations.
- ERP/MRP System Accuracy: Maintain accurate purchasing and inventory records within company ERP/MRP systems, ensuring data integrity and alignment with operational needs.
- Order Management: Track open purchase orders, confirm supplier delivery schedules, and proactively resolve shortages, delays, discrepancies, and invoicing issues.
- Cross-Functional Support: Partner with production, operations, inventory control, and other departments to understand material requirements, communicate order status, and address supply-related concerns.
- Supplier Performance: Monitor and evaluate supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness, providing recommendations for improvement.
- Cost Optimization: Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs, improve inventory efficiency, streamline procurement processes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Supplier Negotiations: Support the Purchasing Coach or Purchasing Manager in supplier selection, pricing negotiations, contract administration, and purchasing commitments.
- Problem Resolution: Investigate and resolve purchasing, inventory, supplier, and invoice discrepancies to minimize operational disruptions.
- Food Safety & Quality Compliance: Ensure purchasing activities support product safety, legality, and quality requirements in accordance with company Quality Policies and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards.
- Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Follow all company and facility safety procedures, applicable regulatory requirements, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of two years of purchasing or procurement experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of two years of experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external suppliers.
- Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to negotiate effectively and build productive supplier relationships.
- Demonstrated sense of urgency, adaptability, and ability to respond to changing production and business needs.
- Ability to analyze information, identify discrepancies, and resolve complex issues with limited direction or available data.
- Associate's degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Accounting, Operations Management, or a related field.
- Professional certification in supply chain, purchasing, or inventory management, such as CPIM, CSCP, or CFPIM.
- Previous purchasing experience in food manufacturing or another regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience with inventory optimization, supplier performance management, and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing operations, material planning, and inventory control practices.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety requirements, and GFSI standards.