About the Role:
The Senior Buyer, also known as a Senior Procurement Specialist or Strategic Sourcing Specialist, is responsible for leading purchasing operations across multiple manufacturing and fulfillment facilities. This role oversees sourcing of raw materials, nutraceutical ingredients, food-grade materials, packaging, and production supplies while ensuring cost efficiency, supply continuity, and regulatory compliance. The Senior Buyer plays a critical role in maintaining cGMP standards, supplier qualification programs, and inventory optimization within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities:
- Lead end to end purchasing activities for raw materials, packaging components, and production supplies across multiple manufacturing and fulfillment sites.
- Source nutraceutical and food-grade ingredients that meet cGMP, regulatory, and quality standards.
- Evaluate, qualify, and onboard suppliers in accordance with supplier qualification and audit requirements.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, and payment terms to optimize cost savings and working capital.
- Monitor inventory levels, demand forecasts, and material requirements planning to prevent shortages and excess inventory.
- Ensure supplier documentation is complete and compliant, including Certificates of Analysis, specifications, audit reports, and regulatory documentation.
- Partner with Quality Assurance and Operations teams to maintain compliance with cGMP and food safety standards.
- Manage vendor performance metrics, track supplier scorecards, and resolve supply chain disruptions.
- Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives without compromising product quality or compliance.
- Support new product launches through timely sourcing, supplier coordination, and purchase planning.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, contracts, and ERP or MRP system data integrity.
- Travel between facilities as needed to support procurement and operational requirements.
Qualifications:
- 5 or more years of purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience sourcing nutraceutical ingredients strongly preferred, with food manufacturing procurement experience highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of cGMP requirements, supplier qualification processes, and regulatory compliance standards.
- Proven track record of negotiation, cost control, and supplier contract management.
- Experience managing procurement operations across multiple facilities or a distributed manufacturing network.
- Proficiency in ERP and MRP systems for purchasing, inventory control, and materials planning.
- Strong analytical, forecasting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret purchasing data and KPIs.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing organization.
- High level of accountability, dependability, and responsiveness to operational needs.
Desired Qualifications:
- APICS certification such as CPIM or CSCP.
- Experience with supplier audits, quality systems, and food safety standards.
- Background in continuous improvement, cost optimization, or lean supply chain initiatives.
- Experience supporting regulatory audits or working within highly regulated manufacturing environments.
