Buyer

Buyer (Ingredient Specialist)

About The Food Source International

The Food Source International, Inc. is a growing organization in Exton, PA committed to quality, efficiency, and strong supplier partnerships. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Buyer to support our procurement and supply chain operations while contributing to continuous improvement and cost efficiency. Pay based on experience. If you are an experienced, innovative and a plan ahead raw ingredient buyer, please apply.

Summary/Objective:

Buyer is a strategic sourcing professional responsible for developing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving category performance. This role focuses on market analysis, supply assurance, cost optimization, and long-term procurement strategy. The Buyer works cross-functionally with Quality, Finance, and Operations to ensure suppliers meet food safety, cost, and service standards that align with organizational goals.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and execute strategies for assigned ingredient categories.
• Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers aligned with quality and food safety requirements.
• Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, terms, rebates, and contract conditions.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, including regular business reviews.
• Conduct market research, “should-cost” modeling, and spend analysis to identify savings opportunities.
• Lead vendor consolidation and dual-sourcing initiatives to reduce risk.
• Partner with Quality & Food Safety to maintain approved supplier documentation (COAs, allergen, certifications).
• Support new product development (NPD) with supplier selection and cost estimates.
• Track and report supplier performance using scorecards (on-time delivery, quality, cost, responsiveness).
• Collaborate with Supply Chain Specialist and R&D to ensure tactical execution aligns with strategy.

Responsibilities/Skills/Abilities:

• Utilizes independent judgment to assess supplier capabilities, negotiate terms, and make strategic sourcing decisions aligned with company goals
• Has authority to select suppliers, approve contracts, and set pricing agreements within defined thresholds
• Analyzes market trends, crop reports, and geopolitical risks to anticipate cost or availability changes
• Leads supplier business reviews and corrective action plans for performance issues
• Partners with Finance on cost forecasting and budgeting for raw materials
• Secures competitive pricing while maintaining product quality and reliability.
• Identifies continuous improvement opportunities in sourcing.
• Maintains expertise in assigned Food Ingredients category (e.g., spices, dairy, flavors, packaging)
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with suppliers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Proficient in using ERP systems, procurement software, and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to adapt to new technology and improve the efficiency of procurement processes.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Collaborates with the Quality and Food Safety teams to ensure all suppliers meet approved-vendor requirements and documentation standards (COAs, allergen, and certification records). *
• • Supports traceability and product integrity by maintaining accurate supplier and material documentation. *
• *Denotes food safety responsibilities.
• The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Experience Requirements:

• 3–5 years of experience in procurement/purchasing of Food Ingredients is generally required.
• Experience with vendor negotiations, inventory management, and supply chain optimization is preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, procurement software, and data analysis tools is essential.
• Previous experience in industries such as manufacturing, retail, or distribution is beneficial.

Education/Knowledge Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field is typically required.
• Certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) or Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) are highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, inventory management, and logistics operations is essential.
• Category-specific technical knowledge (e.g. spice grades, dairy fat content)

Reports To: Supply Chain Manager-Procurement

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Backup: Supply Chain Manager-Procurement/ Buyer/Supply Chain Specialist

Physical Requirements:

• Work involves sitting most of the workday greater than 50% of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.
• Typing and applying pressure with the fingers and palm required.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Work environment/Hours:

• The work environment: routine office setting.
• Full-time Office hours are typically 8:30-5:00pm, Monday-Friday with occasional overtime.

EEO: We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by the law.