Packaging Procurement Specialist

Company Overview

Ancient Crunch Inc. is the fastest-growing healthy snack brand in the U.S. Our flagship product, MASA Chips, is the #1 selling tallow-fried tortilla chips in premium retailers like Erewhon. We manufacture all MASA products in-house at our Hackettstown facility using real ingredients—no seed oils, artificial flavors, or preservatives. All operations adhere to strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety standards.

Reports To: Vendor Relations Manager

Direct Reports: None anticipated at the start, though direct reports may be added or removed from time to time based on operational needs.

Location: Onsite at company HQ, Hackettstown NJ

Schedule: Monday - Friday;
Some flexibility later or earlier may be needed at times

We are seeking a full-time Packaging Procurement Manager to join our team. The Packaging Procurement Manager will be responsible for managing the sourcing, sizing, purchasing, and delivery of packaging materials used in our production process (with an emphasis on flexible packaging), ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement.

The responsibilities listed below are not exhaustive. As Ancient Crunch scales, the requirements of this position will expand and adapt. The Packaging Procurement Specialist is expected to lead new initiatives and assume additional duties consistent with this title and the long-term evolution of our procurement and operations strategy.

Your Responsibilities

Specifically, you will do…

• Material Planning and Inventory Coordination
  • Goal
    :
    Ensure sufficient materials are available as needed, without significant overstocking.
  • Action
    :
    Use sales projections and historical SKU mix to model out material needs by SKU. Translate production targets into material requirements (e.g., X bags of Y chip = Z pouches, etc.). Build in ordering buffer based on lead times of different vendors. Maintain a live model that adjusts as forecasts change and communicate needs to vendors proactively.
• Vendor Management and Onboarding:
  • Goal
    :
    Secure reliable and efficient suppliers for all necessary materials.
  • Action
    :
    Vet, negotiate, and onboard new suppliers of packaging materials. Maintain strong, positive relationships with both new and existing suppliers, ensuring that all communication is clear, friendly, and productive. Maintain redundancy in our suppliers in case one should have issues.
• Material Ordering and Timely Deliveries:
  • Goal
    :
    Ensure material orders are received with sufficient time to prevent delays in production.
  • Action
    :
    Place orders based on production needs and ensure materials are received by the required deadlines. Monitor and manage lead times, and follow up frequently to ensure timely delivery. Handle any delays or issues with suppliers promptly and professionally.
• Cost Management:
  • Goal
    :
    Get the best value for materials purchased.
  • Action
    :
    Negotiate pricing and purchase terms with suppliers where applicable. Regularly review supplier contracts and seek opportunities to reduce costs without compromising quality.
• Inventory Management:
  • Goal
    :
    Keep production well-stocked without excess inventory.
  • Action
    :
    Act as a backup to the production team, ensuring that materials are replenished in a timely manner to prevent shortages. Coordinate with the warehouse team to ensure proper material tracking and storage.
• Quality Control and Problem Resolution:
  • Goal
    :
    Ensure received materials meet our quality standards, and resolve issues quickly if they don’t.
  • Action
    :
    Inspect materials upon delivery to ensure they meet the required specifications. Address any quality issues directly with the suppliers to resolve them efficiently.
• Delivery Coordination:
  • Goal
    :
    Ensure smooth and efficient inbound shipments.
  • Action
    :
    Work with logistics partners to organize freight and coordinate deliveries. Ensure clear communication between suppliers and freight carriers to guarantee timely and accurate shipments.
• Record Keeping:
  • Goal
    :
    Maintain accurate records for all procurement activities.
  • Action
    :
    Log all purchase orders, deliveries, and invoices. Work with the accounting team to ensure accurate and timely payment of invoices.
• Packaging Spec and Artwork Maintenance
  • Goal
    :
    Ke…