Regional Rice Buyer

Riviana Foods Inc. is a world class leader in the rice sector and is America’s largest processor, marketer, and distributor of branded and private label rice products. Riviana brands are well known for their quality and excellence. Key brands include Adolphus®, Blue Ribbon®, Colusa Rose®, Carolina®, Comet®, Gourmet House®, Mahatma®, Minute®, River®, RiceSelect®, Sello Rojo®, Success® and Water Maid®. Riviana Foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., a multinational food group operating in the rice, pasta and sauces sectors. Based in Spain, Ebro Foods has commercial and/or industrial presence in more than 25 countries in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, through its extensive network of subsidiaries and brands.

Our global reach is an important factor in Riviana's success.  As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., the world leader in rice sector, we take a world view of the rice business and draw upon the global resources of our parent company.

Summary:  Key strategic sourcing role responsible for procurement of rice for our Arkansas Operations (Carlisle, Hazen and Brinkley), as well as, supporting TX/LA operations through procurement of rice in Arkansas and other states.  The primary accountability is for strategic sourcing and procurement of quality ingredients to meet company-wide production requirements in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Major Responsibilities:

• Be a key piece of Riviana’s Arkansas Rice procurement function, valued at over $160,000,000 on an annual basis, as well as supporting Texas & Louisiana operations whenever needed
• Partnering with the Director of Procurement, develop dynamic procurement strategies and execute their implementation. Provide timely economic analysis and crop forecasting. Monitor world, national and regional crop development and trends and keep management apprised of important developments. Analyze local supply/demand, competition, crop and market conditions to buy grain at optimum price levels
• Develop a close rapport and collaborative working relationships with key contacts at major suppliers -including millers, farmers, brokers, etc.- through telephone contact, meetings, facility/farm visits, seed research and development, and trade organizations. Identifying and approving new growers & millers – to continue building the supply base
• Oversee shipments and logistics that may include off site loading of barges and storage at other locations
• Support the processing facilities managers to ensure they have the product they need to operate
• Implementation of Riviana sustainability programs –buyer will be responsible for managing the Riviana rice Sustainable plans, and to implement it via finding growers, tracking improvements, collecting data, etc.
• Work collaboratively between Suppliers and Company Rough Rice and Operations Leadership on product quality issues. Liasie between the parties to assure clarity of understanding, expectations, and implementation of action plans to prevent and resolve issues
• Provide updates on market conditions on Arkansas crop to Management on a weekly basis. Monitor regional competitors to assure we are maintaining and enhancing our competitive positions
• Work closely with Finance sharing necessary information on pricing, crop developments, trends and opportunities to assure alignment between market intelligence and financial planning for budgeting, forecasting etc..
• Work closely with logistics (barges/trucking/railcars) and milling partner operations to assure close management and attainment of working capital goals
• Manage current supply agreements and identify improvement opportunities for future negotiations
• Prepare and execute bid proposals, draft and issue all contracts and purchase orders within approval authority necessary to procure raw materials
•  In collaboration with the Director of Procurement, develop a detailed annual commodity budget for Arkansas rice needs.  Perform quarterly commodity reviews and monitor key supplier objectives to measure and confirm progress. Anticipate and implement strategies to adapt to changing market conditions
• Work in cross-functional teams as needed to support new product development and capital improvement projects
• Contract Management: Draft, review, and negotiate supplier agreements, contracts, and terms of engagement. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards
• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain

Other Key Success Factors

• Demonstrated expertise in grain procurement -preferably rice-, as well as technical experience related to agriculture production
• Must be a great communicator, be comfortable influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organization, and have results-driven mentality
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Proven results within a fast-paced high volume/velocity environment
• Strategic thinker with strong decision making and project management and implementation skills
• Commodity market knowledge/experience, as well as understanding of procurement and hedging strategies
• Strong computer skills, with Excel and Outlook capability
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and requirements of within a dynamic organization

Physical Demand – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• General office environment and conditions
• Visual acuity to read and evaluate data
• Able to use a variety of communication methods on frequent basis
• Ability to operate a keyboard
• Position requires incumbent to travel extensively in automobiles and aircraft (both domestically and internationally) to visit suppliers, farms, manufacturing and warehouse locations
• Exposure to heat, cold, humidity

Education

• 4-year College degree, preferably BS in Agricultural Sciences, Business Administration, or related field of study

Experience

• 10-15 years’ experience in grain/commodities procurement in a food-based environment, understanding of rice industry is a plus

Riviana Foods Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, military/veteran status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, citizenship where legally permitted to work, or any other protected category under federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.  This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations.