Sourcing Specialist

Ready Foods is a family-owned company. Over the years, we have grown Ready Foods into a medium sized company. We have been able to do this because we have a strong company culture that promotes inclusion and respect for the dignity of all people. We are looking for a Sourcing Specialist who shares our commitment to people. Our new Sourcing Specialist must be a servant leader and able to lead with humility.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Researches and identifies prospective suppliers for new and existing raw materials
• Source ingredients for R&D samples under specific constraints such as ingredient statement restrictions and pricing, while managing customer timelines
• Responsible for the ongoing sourcing, sampling, approval and setup of all raw materials/suppliers used for manufacturing
• Analyzing industry and market trends and supporting leadership with the development and implementation of sourcing strategies
• Execute against supplier contract submissions as well as perform post-award administration (e.g. negotiating, issuing change orders, contract closeouts.)
• Develop and lead RFI/RFP’s process for various goods
• Works directly with suppliers on pricing agreements; ensuring the best terms for price, quality, delivery and manufacturing feasibility

• Collects, documents and provides supplier/item quotes within ERP system
• Oversee Raw Material forecast and supplier submissions to help maintain assured supply

• Develops supplier scorecard metrics and reports on KPIs for supplier performance
• Develops and tracks unique raw materials to support the creation for floor stock agreements
• Oversee offboarding projects that involve potential Raw Material exposure to ensure obsolescence is mitigated
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and suppliers to develop relationship management and continuous improvement processes
• Owns and updates item master data for all raw materials and suppliers across multiple systems (pricing, MOQ, EOQ, lead-time etc.)
• Leads the cross-functional sourcing projects for supply chain, ensuring a smooth transition from upstream sourcing through production implementation
• Initiates collection of supplier/item documentation required to meet Food Safety/Quality standards
• Purchasing and management of indirect materials/ other direct categories as assigned
• General administrative duties as assigned (credit requests/product returns, report generation, data collection, etc.)
• Participate in professional development activities to keep abreast of current industry best practices
• Demonstrate exemplary integrity and ethics in all instances

• Must have 3+ years of Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing experience in the food industry, preferably in a fast-paced manufacturing/distribution environment
• Strong analytical/project skills, capable of leading and managing an array of initiatives and workgroups from project initiation thru final presentation with competing deadlines
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft office suite, ERP)
• Excellent communicator able to demonstrate communicating effectively with senior management through presentations
• Meet and exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects/tasks with competing deadlines
• Willingness to learn and evolve high-energy, self-motivated with a desire to excel in a multi customer environment
• Deliverable-focused, strong work ethic
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Desire to challenge and improve upon the status quo
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Works well cross-functionally and independently