Job Summary:
The Senior Buyer is of great significance to Plant Therapy. A person in this position will aid the Purchasing Manager in the development and long-term management of key supplier relationships to optimize value through cost reduction, innovation, avoidance of supply disruption, risk mitigation and growth throughout supplier relationship life cycle. In-depth knowledge of raw material processing, such as plant cultivation, harvest seasons, and processing, along with finished good production processes is integral for sourcing, negotiating pricing, and establishing supply agreements. A strong working knowledge of GMP regulatory requirements and technical manufacturing requirements is desired. This role also includes collaborating and assisting with the supply chain and warehouse teams in ensuring continuous supply flow. This role includes assisting with Plant Therapy’s R&D and product development team in new product development and setting up supply base to meet commercialization of new products. This role also includes ensuring that PT suppliers meet and/or exceed regulations relating to Compliance, as well as the requirements defined by any purchase orders or agreements.
Essential Functions:
Develop and manage assigned key supplier relationships to deliver reliable product supply and total cost effectiveness while meeting or exceeding all customer service, compliance, product requirements, and key performance metrics. This includes material and process selection for purchases, locating and selecting suppliers, negotiating supply agreements and measuring supplier performance metrics
Facilitate new vendor setup and vendor adherence to company compliance programs and initiatives, including organic certifications, SDS certifications, GC/MS testing, Fame testing, CofA’s and other regulatory related documents.
Establish close working relationships with other functions, (e. g. Sales, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Inventory, Product Development, Technical Manufacturing, and Marketplace) to ensure full understanding and support of strategic sourcing perspective to key processes and address technical needs and regulatory requirements.
Aid the Purchasing Manager in administering long term blanket orders or contracts for key suppliers
Track and manage performance of suppliers and ensure that performance issues are quickly addressed
Confer with vendors to obtain product or service information, i.e., price, availability and delivery
Review bid proposals and negotiate prices within budgetary limits and scope of authority
Determine best vendor for each item purchased based upon quality, availability, service, pricing and company policy
Maintain maximum inventory levels by using the ERp system
Maintain weekly metric report
Expedite items on reorder lists to move in delivery dates as necessary
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
Identify and recommend opportunities to reduce costs and prepare for future growth
Responsible for RFQ process including reviewing bid proposals, negotiating contracts and prices with suppliers
Identify capacity gaps; recommend changes to sourcing; develop and maintain procurement/purchasing plans; submit and monitor purchase orders; prepare reorder point, out-of-stock, and other analyses to facilitate cost and service improvements
Establish, develop, and maintain relationships with vendors, supplier, and team partners to ensure effective communication of strategic and tactical issues; serve as a liaison between company sales team for demand planning/forecasting and supply chain partners
Initiate and lead cross-functional project teams; support timely project completion through performance measurement reports and forecasting process development and improvement
Initiate and lead the development of short- and long-term supply plans to balance the demand forecast with cost, efficiency, and capacity constraints; optimize the flow of product through the supply chain
Use planning system tools to effectively and efficiently create tactical and strategic inventory and supply solutions
A very hands-on position that will require strong business acumen, excellent people skills, and an ability to improve processes on a continuous basis
Requires in-depth MRP/ERP knowledge as well as demand planning and forecasting best practices with system limitations; experiences in developing and leading S&OP processes
Follow globally developed standard supply chain work processes and best practices
Interact regularly with all departments of the company as required to identify, communicate, and help resolve accounting and operational issues
Negotiate value from multiple perspectives; e.g., purchase price and contractual terms and conditions, total acquisition cost, prioritization and timing considerations, alternative solutions and/or materials
Implement and measure supplier contracts and agreements to assure all suppliers are accountable
Help maintain inventories ensuring that Company funds are used efficiently, and adequate inventory is maintained to prevent product outages
Key Skills and Knowledge:
Experience with GMP regulations and cosmetic/natural ingredients/essential oils supply chain is preferred.
Specialist knowledge of procurement concepts, global supply chain processes, activities, and trends
Work with custom brokers, U.S. Customs and FDA to clear imports
Experience with working with botanical farmers and collectors
Excellent negotiation skills with both large and small suppliers globally
Advanced analytical interpretation and problem-solving skills
Unimpeachable ethics
Ability to lead people and get results through others
The ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
Excellent mastery of Excel, Google Drive or other applications
MRP/ERP experience preferred
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to communicate professionally with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts
Solid decision-making skills
Ability to provide technical leadership, coupled with people and project management skills
Business, communication, change management, and customer service skills
NetSuite or like systems a real plus
ISM membership/certification or APICS membership/certification preferred but not required
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management or other applicable business degree, or equivalent experience in the Health and Wellness industry
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the cosmetic, personal care, or health and wellness industry
Requires a minimum of 3 years of experience in Purchasing or related field, and relevant experience in a logistics/supply chain role
Preferred Qualifications:
Excellent spelling and grammar skills required
Strong integrity - capable of upholding policies of confidentiality concerning department, vendor information and pricing
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Detail oriented, self-motivated, anticipate work to be done and work with minimum supervision and have strong follow up skills
Must have problem solving capabilities and be able to contribute ideas to department
Professional manner and dress
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time and may be required to talk and listen to employees and/or customers
Employee is occasionally required to stand for long periods of time
Employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
Work Environment:
Employee may work in an office setting
The individual must be able to tolerate the scent of essential oils worn or diffused
Other Duties:
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