Strategic Buyer, Indirect Materials & Services

Under guidance from the Purchasing Manager, the Strategic Buyer is responsible for sourcing all indirect materials & services, as well as vendor management. This position provides reporting on key performance indicators, engages in cross functional projects and problem solving to drive customer satisfaction and company performance. JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Education: BS/BA in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Engineering preferred. Experience: A minimum of 2 years’ experience in purchasing, strategic buying, or related emphasis. A similar combination of education and experience will be considered. JOB DUTIES: Analyze supplier spend and material data with the goal of year over year cost reduction. Responsible for onboarding and continuous improvement of key vendors. Lead negotiations with vendors on new and existing contracts. Manage and track vendor performance including supplier delivery, quality, cost, and lead-time. Help expedite purchase orders as necessary and ensure appropriate personnel are informed. Analyze and manage vendors and material markets for risk mitigation, alternative options, and opportunities. Organize, research, and submit RFQ & RFP packages. Conduct individual or group negotiations with vendors. Work closely with Sales, Quality, Finance, Engineering and Manufacturing sites to implement new vendors, prices, and materials. Engage with other LGI divisions to improve purchasing processes, leverage spend and mitigate risk. Perform other related duties and participates in special projects as assigned by management. JOB REQUIREMENTS: Ability to travel up to 50%. Excellent negotiation skills: proven ability to influence people and accomplish objectives working with and through others. Ability to foster, develop, and maintain business relationships. Ability to identify opportunities through use of problem-solving techniques, develop solutions and quantify results. Firsthand experience with negotiations and the elements associated with negotiating. Proven ability to use good judgment and handle confidential information with discretion. General knowledge of industrial production processes in an edible or non-edible food processing plant. Ability to communicate effectively with management, plant personnel, sales, R&D, and customer service. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships. Ability to understand business financial information and reports and effectively communicate information. Capacity to handle multiple projects or initiatives simultaneously with competing deadlines. Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proven track record of cost reduction and risk mitigation. Ability to remain calm and professional at all times. High level of attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to work independently and be a self-starter. Ability to operate all necessary office equipment such as a computer, mobile phone, fax machine, copy machine, data collection equipment, etc. Ability to be proactive, to anticipate and provide alternative solutions to internal customers. Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary. BASIC PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Approximate: 8-Hour Day (may be longer during peak season) Key: Occasional = 0% - 33% Frequent = 34% - 66% Continuous = 67% - 100% N/A = Not Applicable Standing - Occasional Sitting - Frequent Walking - Occasional Bending/Kneeling/Crouching/Stooping - Occasional Reaching Above Shoulder - Occasional Climbing (stairs, ladders, etc.) - Occasional Working on Heights: Unprotected Heights - Occasional Protected Heights - Occasional Lifting Weights from 0 to 50 pounds - Occasional Push/Pull/Maneuver Equipment/Products/Materials Weighing from 0 to 200 pounds - Occasional Being Around and/or Operating Moving Machinery/Equipment - Occasional Operating a Vehicle (as a part of your job) - Occasional Read/Monitor Gauges on Various Equipment/Machinery - Occasional Hand Movements: Recording Data - Frequent Operating Office Equipment - Frequent Operating Computer - Frequent Simple Grasping (right and left) - Occasional Firm Grasping (right and left) - Occasional Fine Manipulating (right and left) - Frequent Foot Movements to Operate Foot Controls - N/A Good Vision, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to Access Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - Yes Color Definition - Yes Good Hearing, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to Communicate and/or Understand Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - Yes Ability to be Mobile throughout Required Work Areas - Yes Office - Frequent Multiple Locations - Occasional Plant - Occasional Equipment/Maintenance or Repair Area - Occasional Rough Terrain - Occasional Other - N/A BASIC MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: This job requires the mental capabilities to apply logical thought processes to solve problems and process information. Additionally, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, building relationships and the ability to work with a variety of people are required to accomplish job duties. WORKING CONDITIONS AND EXPOSURES: Working conditions vary, a portion of the job duties occur within a general office environment while other job duties occur within the manufacturing plant setting with exposure to acidic and alkaline substances. Additional exposures include biohazards, odor, noise, dust, moving machinery, and occasional contact with hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, this position may require the incumbent to travel on business to production plants in a variety of weather conditions. LGI’s foundation began in 1916 as the Lauridsen Creamery, selling butter, eggs and poultry to the local community. Although our headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa, is not far from the old creamery in Dedham, Iowa, the company is now worldwide with more than fifty manufacturing and sales locations in twenty countries and sales in more than sixty countries. Each company under the LGI umbrella is truly independent. They have the ability and the charge to be entrepreneurial, to seek out new markets, to develop new products and applications, and – above all - to discover new ways to add value through fractionation and novel application. What’s more, because some LGI companies have offices and presence around the world, all LGI companies benefit from their exposure to new markets, new products, new applications and new thinking.