Purchasing Manager

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At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive-whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Central Valley Cheese, Inc./Karoun Dairies, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Purchasing Manager based in Turlock, CA.

As the Purchasing Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Purchasing materials and products used in the manufacturing of cheese and cultured products through ERP (SAP) system.
• Purchase other supplies for various departments that are necessary for the operation of the plant.
• Management of shortages by coordinating and communicating with managers and essential personnel on inventory quantities to prevent shortages from occurring.
• Maintenance and organization of inventory.
• Efficient management of plant supplies budgets.
• Effective, professional, and timely communication and coordination with outside vendors.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability and reliability, production, and distribution capabilities and communicate to Corporate Purchasing for approval.
• Print daily production schedules and order supplies requested by various departments.
• Purchases the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible information to vendors and managers in a clear and understanding way.
• Responsible for Vendor Non-Conformance Reports (NCR's). Solves practical problems and has the ability to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Reviews bid proposals and negotiate contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority with Corporate Purchasing.
• Maintains procurement records such as items or services purchased costs, delivery, product quality or performance and inventories.
• Places orders with vendors using forecast reports and other means of inventory levels.
• Physically inventories and counts bulk dry goods.
• Performs administrative duties in an accurate timely and professional manner (Phone calls, voice mail, paperwork, meeting presentations).
• Maintains open communication with all employees and managers.
• Perform and follow machine and shipping tests for new packaging materials and present reports to the management team.
• Other responsibilities as needed in the position.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration; preferred.

Experience

• Two to three years of experience in a purchasing/buyer position.
• Previous employment in a food industry setting preferred.

Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of materials and supplies used in production environment.
• Strong organizational, time management and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to present information effectively with strong analytical skills.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
• The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• High level of computer literacy and have knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office.
• Accuracy and proficiency in the processing of data entry.
• Working knowledge of the ERP system SAP is required
• Basic algebra skills required.
• Teamwork, good communication skills to work closely within department.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.