| Location | Downers Grove, IL |
About Us: At the Fresh Factory, we’ve built a platform to accelerate the growth of emerging food and beverage brands. We are vertically integrated from the farm to the shelf and offer services above and beyond traditional manufacturing, becoming a trusted growth partner for leading brands. Our industry-leading benefits package shows our commitment to the safety and well-being of our employees. The Fresh Factory contributes generously to the cost of medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their family members.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Sourcing + Procurement Specialist to join our dynamic team. Reporting to our Head of Supply Chain, you will play the supporting role in sourcing and procuring raw materials, ingredients and supplies that align with our mission of bringing better-for-you food to the masses. Your commitment to meticulous material management, vendor relations, and strategic sourcing will be instrumental in ensuring the integrity and quality of our products.
Key Responsibilities:
Procurement: Create and issue purchase and transfer orders for all materials required in support of scheduled production, operations, sanitation, and quality. Ensure on-time delivery of all products and escalate immediately if required dates are in jeopardy. Forecast supply shortages for impact on production and keep management informed of present/future trends in availability.
Supplier Coordination: Assist in identifying, evaluating, and selecting suppliers of ingredients and packaging materials, as well as supplies. Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers and develop new ones as needed.
Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of purchase orders, supplier agreements, and inventory levels. Assist in generating reports and analyzing procurement data to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
Market Research: Conduct research on market trends, pricing, and new suppliers to support informed decision-making. Provide insights and recommendations to senior buyers and procurement managers.
Quality Assurance: Collaborate closely with our quality assurance team to ensure all materials and ingredients meet regulatory requirements and internal quality standards.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, production, and marketing teams to support new product development initiatives and ensure timely availability of materials.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field
3+ years of purchasing preferred, 3+ years supply chain/general operations experience strongly preferred (food + beverage experience +++)
Experience working with ERP systems
Must have advanced knowledge with Google and/or MS Office Suite
Must speak English; Spanish a plus
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment while working in a cross-functional team
Thrive in a fast-paced team environment
Must have advanced attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Ability to adapt and be flexible in a variety of situations
Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
Must have the ability to take initiative when problems arise
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills for dealing cross-functionally with peers and management team
Willing to roll up their sleeves and get work done
Must be able to support and contribute to team goals
Flexible hours of availability required
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequently required to sit; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear
Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus
Ability to frequently walk throughout the production facility including the warehouse
Work Environment:
Production Plant working environment
Food Manufacturing Operations environment
Local travel: minimal