Senior Buyer

This range is provided by Sterling Engineering. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Direct message the job poster from Sterling Engineering

Title: Senior Buyer – Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Work Type: Hybrid

Compensation: $85,000 – $110,000

$85,000.00/yr - $/yr

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Buyer with a strong background in food or beverage manufacturing to lead procurement of raw materials, packaging, coatings, and critical supplies that support production and growth. This role is responsible for sourcing high-quality materials at competitive costs, driving supplier performance, and ensuring an efficient, reliable supply chain. You’ll collaborate closely with Operations, R&D, Quality, Sales, and suppliers to support both day-to-day production and new product launches.

• Manage material requirements using MRP tools; identify and resolve inventory gaps or excesses.
• Issue and manage purchase orders while ensuring supplier delivery aligns with production schedules.
• Monitor inventory levels across assigned categories to prevent stockouts or overstocks.
• Investigate supplier quality issues and manage RTV (return-to-vendor) processes.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships focused on cost, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Partner with R&D, Sales, Planning, and customer teams during new product development and commercialization.
• Conduct supplier audits and plant visits to confirm quality and supply reliability.
• Participate in launch readiness meetings and customer calls for new products.
• Collaborate with Finance on PPV reporting, quarterly pricing, and cost analyses.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or service.
• Track procurement KPIs and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Streamline purchasing processes, reduce lead times, and enhance vendor performance.
• Understand plant operations and material usage to ensure sourcing strategies align with production needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing or supply chain experience in food or beverage manufacturing (required).
• Strong understanding of supply chain operations, logistics, and inventory management.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable making data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and vendor management experience.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficient in MRP/ERP systems and inventory management tools.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel; proficiency in Word and PowerPoint. Experience with Salesforce, Trace Gains, or SharePoint is a plus.
• Ability to analyze workflows, identify root causes, and implement process improvements.
• Experience developing and tracking procurement performance metrics.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Purchasing and Supply Chain

• Food and Beverage Manufacturing

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)