GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Procurement Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing the supply of direct materials required to support manufacturing operations. This role balances cost competitiveness, supplier performance, quality, supply continuity, and risk management while translating market intelligence into sound purchasing decisions.
The Procurement Specialist serves as the commercial owner for assigned categories and suppliers, partnering closely with internal stakeholders to ensure materials are available, compliant, and aligned with operational and business objectives.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Comply with all Company policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Represent the Company professionally and positively in all internal and external interactions.
- Work independently while collaborating effectively as a crossfunctional team member.
- Maintain organized, accurate, and auditready records and work practices.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Strategic Sourcing & Purchasing
- Source, negotiate, and procure direct materials in alignment with production requirements, quality standards, and cost targets.
- Develop and execute purchasing strategies informed by market conditions, historical trends, forecasts, and supply risk assessments.
- Lead or support RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs for materials and services as required.
- Translate market intelligence into timely purchasing decisions that protect margin and supply continuity.
Supplier Management & Performance
- Build, manage, and strengthen relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliable supply and competitive positioning.
- Monitor supplier performance across pricing, delivery, quality, and responsiveness, addressing issues proactively.
- Support supplier evaluations, scorecards, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify, qualify, and maintain alternative or backup suppliers for critical materials.
Cost Management & Market Analysis
- Identify opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation through negotiation, timing, and sourcing strategies.
- Track and analyze price movements, supply constraints, and market risks affecting key materials.
- Prepare procurement insights, summaries, and recommendations to support management decisionmaking.
Risk Management & Contracts
- Identify supply, quality, logistics, regulatory, and singlesource risks; implement and support mitigation and contingency plans.
- Escalate emerging risks or disruptions with clear, datadriven recommendations.
- Support contract development, pricing agreements, renewals, and commercial negotiations with suppliers.
- Ensure commercial terms are clearly documented, understood, and adhered to.
Inventory Counts & Variance Reconciliation
- Support and participate in scheduled monthly inventory counts in collaboration with inventory, warehouse, and finance teams.
- Assist with investigating, reconciling, and documenting inventory variances by reviewing discrepancies, supporting rootcause analysis, and ensuring system records and supporting documentation are updated accurately.
Systems, Documentation & Governance
- Use ERP and procurement systems effectively to maintain accurate purchasing, pricing, specifications, and supplier data.
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Ensure units of measure, delivery terms, specifications, and pricing are accurate and verified.
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Maintain purchasing records and sourcing documentation in an auditready state.
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Contribute to the development and adherence of procurement SOPs, controls, and best practices.
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Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards.
CrossFunctional Collaboration
- Work closely with production, inventory, quality, logistics, and finance teams to align purchasing decisions with operational needs.
- Provide procurement guidance to internal stakeholders to ensure requirements are clear, accurate, and achievable.
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Experience in direct materials procurement, preferably within manufacturing, feed, food, or other regulated environments.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and suppliermanagement capabilities.
- Ability to interpret market data and apply sound commercial judgment.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating across functions.
- Experience with ERP or procurement systems preferred.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Commerce, or a related field preferred.- Relevant industry experience with demonstrated commercial responsibility will be considered in lieu of formal education.
- Progress toward or completion of SCMP and/or CSCL designation considered an asset.
SKILLS REQUIRED
- Professional, dependable, and resultsdriven with high standards of integrity.
- Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problemsolving abilities.
- High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining confidentiality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; Great Plains experience is an asset.
- Commitment to company values: hard work, high standards, honesty, and harmony.
