Plant Purchasing Manager

The Plant Purchasing Manager I is responsible for ensuring adequate inventory of materials and supplies at the plant either directly or through others. He/she manages inventories of goods and supplies to ensure plant maintains an adequate supply without carrying excessive inventories at plant or supplier location. He/she works with Plant Management and Corporate Procurement, as well as Customers, to ensure all items are ordered from approved suppliers and meet all DFA Dairy Brands' specifications and QA requirements. In addition, he/she works with Plant Management and Corporate Procurement, as well as Customers, to ensure compliance with all Corporate Procurement Programs.

Job Responsibilities:

• Orders all incoming raw materials, packaging materials, supplies and other items as needed by the plant directly or through others.
• Maintains adequate inventories of materials and supplies by developing and using a broad and deep working understanding of Plant operational requirements and supplier lead times.
• Performs activities that determine quantities of and delivery schedules for raw materials, parts and assemblies required to meet scheduled production, including the use of DMS (or other applicable ERP system) to create P.O.'s, schedules, and balance inventories; ensures inventory is not excessive.
• Completes Company-standard P.O.'s for all purchases, approves invoices for payment, verifying quantities and pricing.
• Follows up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery dates.
• Identifies Plant-level supply requirements and provides input to the Procurement Group for prioritization and sourcing actions.
• Manage changes to packaging by exhausting current levels and working with accounting to update BOMs.
• Collaborates with Quality Assurance, Plant Management, Corporate Procurement, and Customers to ensure suppliers are qualified and approved from a quality standpoint.
• Leads the effort at the plant level to achieve 100% compliance with complex supplier program. Works with the Group Procurement Director and other available resources to track and monitor compliance of all procurement programs. Procurement process begins 6-12 weeks out depending on supplier and production schedule. Complex lead times due to international productions and staging of products (frozen items)
• Sources and negotiates pricing and terms for locally purchased items that are not part of Corporate Procurement programs; keeps Corporate Procurement informed about local suppliers and activities.
• Manages local supplier relationships to ensure that supplier expectations are clearly understood and performance against those expectations are being measured and monitored on a regular basis.
• Coordinates plant-level inputs to Supplier Scorecards as determined by Corporate Procurement.
• Seeks out and implements inventory best practices as appropriate.
• Provides data-driven input regarding supplier incidents, concerns and corrective actions. Applies Supplier Non-conformance Reporting process (aka, Zero Defects).
• Works directly with customer and leads frequent meetings to communicate and take action accordingly on supply chain delays or issues.
• Provides reporting to customer including monthly obsolescence reports and ad hoc reports such as pro formas for potential new flavors or production schedule adjustments.
• Collaborates with Data Management and Cost Accounting teams to process new or updated finished product formulas.
• Supervises and manages the work of others in supporting roles.
• Serves as back up for International Planning Manager.
• Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Skilled proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Working knowledge of SAP, EAM, and AS400 programs preferred
• Ability to keep precise inventory records
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong project management skills including planning, follow-up and execution
• Ability to perform effectively on an individual basis as well as part of a team
• Ability to lead a team and supervise the work of others
• Ability to interact in a positive manner with DFA personnel and visitors to the facility

Minimum Requirements:

• High school graduate or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field, preferred and/or a minimum of 5 years' related experience.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill in organization, prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work and influence others across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Must be able to pass all pre-employment screens (including drug, background and criminal checks).

An Equal Opportunity Employer