What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Procurement Buyer-Indirect Categories position at Request Foods?
There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.
Request Foods is seeking a strategic Senior Procurement Buyer-Indirect Categories to lead the sourcing of indirect goods and services in support of food manufacturing operations. This role partners with cross-functional stakeholders across the organization to deliver value, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement across a diverse range of spend categories. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical and relationship-based leadership skills, exceptional attention to detail, and proven experience in strategic sourcing across multiple areas of spend, with the ability to drive business success and operational excellence.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute procurement strategies for indirect spend, leveraging market intelligence and best practices to optimize cost, assurance of quality, service and risk mitigation.
- Lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and ongoing supplier relationship management (periodic business reviews) to ensure performance meets the established business KPIs.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, influence requirements, and drive alignment on sourcing initiatives, often without direct authority.
- Resolve conflicts and facilitate win-win outcomes between suppliers and internal teams.
- Create opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and value creation within indirect categories. Establish internal dashboards to track the improvements.
- Coach and mentor junior team members and stakeholders, providing clear explanations of procurement processes, policies, and best practices.
- Adapt to changing business priorities and market conditions, making effective decisions under pressure to support business continuity.
Key Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum 5–7 years of progressive procurement experience preferably in a manufacturing environment focused on Indirect Categories.
- Proven negotiation and contract management skills.
- Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Certification in procurement (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is a plus.
Benefits and Perks:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401k
- Paid Paternity Leave
- Wellbeing programs
- Immediate Holiday Pay
- Paid Time Off
- Profit Sharing