Purchaser III

Description

Purchaser III is Orchard-Rite's senior buyer role. Working closely with the Purchasing Manager, the Purchaser III owns strategic commodity categories, leads negotiations with key suppliers, and helps drive the continued rollout of Net Suite, Kanban, and supporting tools across the purchasing function. Over time, this role takes on broader leadership scope—mentoring junior buyers, leading cross-functional projects, and standing in for the Purchasing Manager when needed.

• Owns assigned commodity categories from sourcing through purchase order execution and supplier performance management.
• Negotiates pricing, terms, lead times, and delivery commitments with suppliers, vendors, and shipping companies.
• Monitors supplier performance against quality and delivery requirements; identifies and qualifies new suppliers in collaboration with other departments.
• Issues, manages, and expedites purchase orders to maintain required quantities of supplies and materials and optimize production.
• Maintains accurate inventory data, lead times, safety stock levels, and supplier records in Net Suite.
• Identifies optimal shipment and transportation routes with attention to consolidation of warehousing and distribution.
• Analyzes current inventories and procedures; recommends improvements to increase efficiency of supply chain and profitability for the company.
• Supports the development and rollout of policies, SOPs, and KPIs to increase efficiency throughout the supply chain while ensuring quality and safety.
• Serves as a department lead on continued Net Suite and Kanban rollout, including configuration, training, and adoption.
• Collaborates with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Finance to keep purchasing aligned with the rest of the business.
• Participates as an advisory member of the product development team, providing information and guidance on availability and cost of supplies and materials.
• Coordinates with R&D on engineering updates, product line improvements, and new product launches to ensure timely and orderly material and production flow transitions and run out.
• Mentors and provides informal guidance to Purchaser I and Purchaser II teammates; serves as point person for the purchasing function when the Purchasing Manager is unavailable.
• Takes on stretch assignments—SOP authorship, supplier audits, cost-reduction initiatives, departmental reporting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with timely responses to calls, emails, and texts the same business day and closing the loop on open items.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with vendors, suppliers, shippers, and internal partners.
• Comfortable adopting and learning new systems and tools (Net Suite or comparable ERP, Kanban, Microsoft Office Suite) and finding ways to make them serve the business better.
• Conscientious, organized, and accountable, with attention to detail across many concurrent priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates leadership behaviors—mentoring others, raising the standard, and taking initiative—whether or not direct reports are assigned.
• Thorough understanding of company products and logistics, or the willingness and aptitude to learn them quickly.
• A clear interest in growing into a leadership role and a willingness to take on stretch assignments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Must be able to communicate in English.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience required, preferably in a discrete manufacturing environment.
• APICS / ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) preferred, or willingness to obtain.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at times.