Purchase Specialist

Warabeya North America

Stafford, VA

Job Title: Supply Chain Purchaser/Buyer - VA

Reports to: Head of Procurement & SC Manager - VA

Location: Stafford, VA

Job Type: Full-time/Exempt

Business Hours: M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Salary Range: DOE

About the Company:

Warabeya North America is a leading food manufacturer specializing in high-quality fresh and ready-to-eat food products. As part of the global Warabeya Nichiyo Group headquartered in Japan, we are dedicated with years of food innovation with a strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Our North American operations are growing, offering a collaborative, fast-paced environment where employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and growth together with the company.

Position Summary:

The Supply Chain (SC) Purchaser supervises the daily activities of the Material Control/Supply Chain department. This role is responsible for analyzing, reporting, recording, tracking, and auditing purchasing information and inventory for the VA plant. The SC Purchaser collaborates closely with the Warehouse Supervisor and warehouse team to manage purchasing needs and support inventory control for the facility.

This position is a purchasing focused role, and a strong purchasing background is mandatory. Inventory control and warehouse management experience is a plus.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate with Warehouse Supervisor regarding any issues regarding purchasing, inventory and the team coverage
Get cross trained in inventory management and have the basic knowledge of warehouse management for team coverage for daily operations including weekends and holidays
Manage the inventory and warehousing activities by effectively forecasting material demands, stock levels, re-order points and resources capacity ensuring product availability
Maintain and update e-procurement computerized system and prepare status reports on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
Build and develop relationships with other departments (Production, R&D) while ensuring compliance in all areas as specified by company policies and procedures
Manage the receiving details and implement corrective actions for dispute resolution
Ensure accurate and timely receipts of invoices and purchase orders – A/P Vouchers in Syteline, Invoice reconciliation
Maintain and/or implements purchasing and recordkeeping systems

Additional Responsibilities:

Crosstrain with warehouse supervisor/manager and become backup for warehouse supervisor/manager as needed
Assist Supply Chain Manager and guide the team with warehouse supervisor/manager to achieve the department goals
Drive JSOX project - communicate with internal auditors and provide requested information in a timely manner
Support the inventory and purchasing system upgrade or implementation projects as needed
Perform other duties as assigned.

The Company reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and responsibilities of this role as needed to meet business requirements.

Qualifications:

Required

2-year degree or a combination of sufficient experience and education
Minimum 2 years of Purchasing experience
Minimum 2 years of Purchasing and inventory systems such as SAP or Oracle
English proficiency in both oral and written
MS office proficiency
Must be able to work after hours for weekly and monthly inventory audit
Must be able to work overtime and weekends as needed
Time management and task prioritization skills
Takes initiative, seeks improvement, and adapts to challenges
Strong planning skills including forecasting and cost saving
Excellent at relationship building and interpersonal effectiveness
Consistently produces accurate, thorough, and well-organized work
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Must have a hands-on work ethic
Flexible mindset with the ability to adapt to change and learn quickly
Ability to work onsite (remote work is not an option)
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the time the employment begins and must not require sponsorship for employment visa status. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization.

Preferred

Knowledge and experience of Lean principles and practices
Supervisor and managerial experience
Familiar with Syteline, Infor

Work Environment and Workplace:

Work is primarily performed in an indoor environment, including office, manufacturing, and warehouse settings
The role may involve exposure to moving mechanical parts, regular exposure to conditions such as hot and cold temperatures, humidity, and confined spaces depending on job duties
The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate
The work environments may include exposure to food ingredients and cleaning agents

Physical Requirement:

To successfully perform the essential functions of this role, the employee must be able to:

Must be able to remain in a stationary position and/or move for extended periods
Lift, transport, maneuver materials, or equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds
Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach frequently to access materials, equipment, and work areas
Maintain visual acuity to read labels, monitors, and safety indicators
Ability to differentiate between color-coded materials used in sorting, labeling, or quality verification processes
Communicate effectively using speech, written language, hearing, and visual observation in person, by phone, and via virtual platforms
Use hands and fingers to input data, mouse, and standard office equipment (if applicable)

Travel Requirements:

This position may require domestic travel (including by air and car)

Benefits: