Buyer

Job Summary:

The purpose of this job is to order and manage packaging needs for assigned packaging categories and plants. Maximize inventory turns while maintaining high fill rates to production and minimizing costs. Utilize MRP system and other tools within established planning process. Develops and supports continuous improvement on supplier performance that provides optimum quality, service, delivery, and pricing.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Analyze, plan, order and schedule deliveries of corrugated containers, rigid plastic containers, flexible packaging, and other miscellaneous packaging to meet the production schedules.
• Implement packaging changes, coordinating transition from old to new inventories, minimize packaging disposals, and coordinate efforts with the Commercialization Manager.
• Ensure contracted pricing is input on all purchase orders, monitor contracted volumes, and lead invoice reconciliation efforts with Accounts Payable to ensure timely payment.
• Coordinate with production support teams at all production facilities, warehouses, and transportation department to ensure that required materials are delivered as needed.
• Develop and maintain professional supplier relationships while monitoring material quality non-conformance incidents and coordinating the return and credit process.
• Coordinate BOM and formula changes for packaging with the production facility to maintain accurate usages and inventories.
• Conduct value analysis on purchased items and pursue a variety of strategies to achieve continuous improvement on lowering cost. These strategies would include evaluating changes to specifications, die size, technologies, volume incentives and regular competitive bidding.
• Monitor system information and take appropriate actions if errors are found or adjustments need to be made. Use planned order reports and other tools for ordering materials.
• Collaborate on the development, direction and implementation of technology, systems, tools and processes; includes process re-design and business-to-business integration with suppliers.
• Ensure that SunOpta supplier transactions are rigorous, transparent, objective, documented, and compliant with internal procurement policies and relevant regulations.
• Work with the Director of Procurement to achieve the budget, packaging KPI's and deliver the packaging business plan.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting, or Related Field.
• Purchasing knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of accounting, finance, sales / marketing, supply chain, and manufacturing operations preferred.
• 5 years of experience in MRP environment in areas of inventory control, production scheduling, demand management, or materials management preferably in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
• APICS or ISM certification desirable.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Broad knowledge of supply chain processes and planning systems.
• Demonstrated sound business judgment and initiative.
• Ability to manage many details with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to establish timelines and meet deadlines.
• Ability to initiate, coordinate, collaborate, and move forward on planned activities in a team environment.
• Ability to negotiate price and other terms and conditions of contracts.
• Ability to create clear and accurate documents such as reports, e-mails, contracts, and purchase orders.
• Attention to detail and good follow-up is critical to success.
• Oral and written communication, collaborative, interpersonal and teamwork skills are essential.
• Excellent computer skills are required, including business software and systems such as Windows, MRP, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint).
• Microsoft Dynamics AX experience a plus.

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: Up to 10%.
• Location: This position will be based at our MN Street Plant in Alexandria, MN.
• Work Environment: Primarily in an office environment, with periodic presence in a manufacturing / production environment which will require appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.