Job Title: Packaging Buyer
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Status: Salaried
Department: Purchasing
Reports To: Purchasing Manager
Job Summary:
The Buyer (BYR) ensures that the contracts between Bowman Andros Products and its’ suppliers are set according to forecast demand, ensuring that production has the primary and secondary packaging materials, nonfood contact materials, and ingredients that they need to complete customer orders in a timely manner. The Incumbent must be able to seek out suppliers who offer the best quality and value for the company as well as maintaining positive relationships and working with all suppliers to ensure that quality issues are corrected, and supply levels support Company needs promptly and continuously. Finally, the BYR will work closely with other departments in order to find suitable packaging and/or ingredient solutions for new products, ensuring department goals are met.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
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Packaging category purchasing strategy :
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Develop the purchasing strategy for the category
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Develop a detailed strategy for the key categories
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Analysis of the risk by category
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Identify the mono sourced SKU and develop alternative
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Identify the mono customer SKU and before contracting get confirmation from business of continuity of business.
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Understand the key drivers by category and monitor them.
Vendor Management-
Identify and assess potential packaging suppliers.
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Evaluate supplier capabilities, reliability, and financial stability.
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Monitor supplier performance : OTIF and Non conformity and CSR KPI
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Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to secure favorable agreements.
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Establish and maintain strong relationships with key vendor.
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Supports evaluation of suppliers through visitations and objective performance measurements including on-time delivery and service performance.
Budget and Cost Optimization-
Elaborate the budget for the packaging category
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Develop and implement procurement strategies to optimize costs while maintaining quality standards.
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Conduct cost-benefit analyses for different packaging options.
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Publish regular report on budget variances and optimization projects to his line manager and central procurement department if applicable.
Quality Assurance-
Collaborate with the quality control team to establish and enforce quality standards for packaging materials. Track (KPI) with the support of quality department the non-compliances and seek for resolution.
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Ensure that packaging materials comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
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Address any quality issues promptly and work with suppliers to resolve them.
Inventory Management-
Coordinate with procurement, production, and logistics teams to ensure timely deliveries. Establish with supply chain minimum stock carry over accordingly the production and delivery lead time from suppliers.
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Sends sales forecasts to suppliers as contractually required or requested to ensure that there are adequate supplies on hand to meet customer needs.
Market Research-
Stay informed about industry trends, innovations, and emerging technologies in packaging. Publish regular market trends to his stakeholders.
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Conduct market research to identify potential new suppliers and materials.
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Anticipate changes in market conditions and adjust procurement strategies accordingly.
Collaboration-
Work closely with cross-functional teams, including production, logistics, and quality control.
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Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand packaging requirements and constraints.
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Streamline communication and processes to enhance overall operational efficiency.
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Attends weekly R&D meetings to sample existing and/or new products to ensure that customer specifications are being met.
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Participate to the global procurement category management and deploy and execute the strategy applicable to his region.
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Analyze data related to supplier performance, costs, and inventory levels.
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Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement.
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Implement data-driven strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the procurement process. (make sure that production run with suppliers is optimal in order to get the optimal cost, monitor it and review it with supply chain).
Regulatory Compliance-
Stay current with regulatory requirements related to packaging materials.
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Ensure that all packaging materials comply with food safety regulations and other relevant standards.
Attention to Sustainability
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As environmental sustainability becomes a more significant concern, Packaging Buyers may work towards incorporating sustainable practices into the procurement process, such as sourcing eco-friendly materials.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A relevant educational background provides a solid foundation in business principles and procurement strategies.
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Regular and reliable attendance required.
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Proven experience as a Packaging Buyer within the food industry.
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Understanding of industry trends, innovations, and emerging technologies in packaging.
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In-depth knowledge of packaging materials, industry regulations, and market trends.
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Strong negotiation and communication skills.
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Ability to analyze data related to supplier performance, costs, and inventory levels.
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Project management skills to coordinate procurement activities and ensure timely delivery of packaging materials.
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Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
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Ability to work closely with quality control teams to ensure compliance with industry standards.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
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Ability to adapt to changing market conditions, industry trends, and business requirements.
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Excellent oral and written communication skills (For example, ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedures. Must have ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, suppliers, managers and employees.)
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Considerable time will be spent working within an office environment as well as occasional trips to the production floor, warehousing floor, and R&D lab areas. The incumbent will be exposed to long periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Exposure to loud noises from production equipment and moving mechanical parts will also occur. This position requires some travel, primarily domestic, including overnight, to meet with suppliers.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be performed by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to type, handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms; see, talk and /or hear. The associate frequently is required to stoop, kneel, bend or crouch, and travels up and down stairs. The associate is occasionally required to taste, touch or smell.
The Buyer may be required to sit for long periods of time while operating a vehicle. The incumbent must be able to get in and out of an automobile, and move in and out of warehouses, and other customer locations as needed.
The Buyer may be required to push, pull, and lift to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of associates under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.