Procurement Specialist

Job Title: Procurement Specialist

Location

Battle Creek, MI (hybrid)

Department

Supply Chain

Reports To

Supply Chain Manager

Position Summary

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for demand planning, procurement, inventory oversight, and communications with suppliers for a food manufacturing operation operating under FSMA and GFSI-recognized food safety standards. This role ensures continuity of supply to support production and customer fulfillment while maintaining high standards for customer service, food safety, quality, traceability, and supplier approval requirements. The ideal candidate is collaborative, detail-oriented, and highly responsive in a fast-changing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Demand Planning \& Inventory Management

• Perform

customer-level demand planning

to support production schedules, service-level targets, and material availability.

• Work with customers to

ensure inventory is on hand

to support production schedules, as needed.

• Manage

demand planning for

frequent internal transfers

from 3PL facilities, ensuring inventory integrity, lot control, and traceability.

• Lead the weekly Inventory Review meeting

, reviewing inventory status, risks, shortages, status of items on hold, and corrective actions.

• Conduct and

analyze material inventories

in collaboration with the Warehouse Manager to ensure accuracy, FIFO compliance, shelf-life control, and lot traceability.

• Proactively

identify and mitigate material supply risks

that could impact food safety, quality, or customer commitments.

Purchasing \& Order Management

• Issue, manage, and track

purchase orders

for:

• Direct food ingredients and packaging materials
• Maintenance (MRO) supplies
• Quality and food safety–related materials and services

·

Expedite purchase orders

as necessary to prevent production or customer service disruptions while ensuring only approved suppliers and materials are used.

·

Ensure purchasing activities align

with approved specifications, supplier approvals, and SQF documentation requirements.

·        Set up and maintain

supplier, item, and purchasing records

in the ERP system to ensure consistency with approved specifications and quality programs.

Supplier Approval, Verification \& Performance

·        Manage the supplier and material approval processes

in alignment with the documented procedure.

·        Maintain the

Approved Supplier List

(ASL) and ensure only approved suppliers and materials are used in production.

·

Work with suppliers

to:

o   Correct ordering, delivery, or documentation errors

o   Improve supplier performance, reliability, and responsiveness

o   Ensure Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are received, complete, and available prior to material release, in coordination with Quality

·        Report COA status and inbound material status to the

management team daily

to support release decisions and production planning.

·        Support

supplier risk management

by identifying supply vulnerabilities and participating in sourcing or contingency planning.

·        Support

traceability, recall readiness, and audit preparedness

through accurate documentation and timely communication.

·        Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure

materials meet approved specifications

and food safety requirements prior to use.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

·        Participate in SQF audits, internal audits, and management review activities as needed.

·        Work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Warehouse, Finance, and Customer Service to resolve material, inventory, and supply issues.

·        Provide responsive, customer-focused support to internal departments while maintaining compliance and control.

·        Serve as a key liaison between internal teams and external suppliers.

Required Skills \& Competencies

• At least

5 years of experience

in demand planning, supplier approvals, and supplier management.

• Strong

customer service orientation

with a proactive and problem-solving mindset.

• Demonstrated ability to work

collaboratively in a fast-changing environment

.

• Clear and professional

written and verbal communication

skills, including supplier and audit-related communication.

• High proficiency in

Excel

for inventory analysis, reporting, and root-cause investigation.

• Strong attention to detail

with the ability to manage documentation, approvals, and compliance requirements.

Work Environment

• Food manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• Regular interaction with Warehouse, Quality, Operations, and Finance teams.
• Participation in SQF audits, surveillance audits, and recertification activities as required.

Compensation

• $80,000 Salary/Yr \+ 10% Bonus