In this position, you will be responsible for coordinating transfers, inventories and other needs as requested by sales and field operations (Coachella, Somis, Mexico and Nogales). You will manage all purchasing of packaging, supplies for pack house operations, service contractors and materials for cultural operations. This position is responsible for purchasing/renting equipment and vehicles for the company. You will ensure registration and insurance is current. The scope is broad, ranging from sourcing new vendors, vendor negotiation, placing and adjusting orders, tracking inventory, planning future purchasing and monitoring product costs and quality. The Purchasing Manager is responsible for maintaining an adequate supplier base to provide all needed production materials and services on time; conforming to specification; and at a competitive total cost.
- Conduct inventory counts; develop and communicate inventory management policies and track inventories using manual and computerized systems.
- Ensure supplies such as fertilizer, stakes, twine and any material needed for cultural operations.
- Maintain communications with Mexico operations to ensure supplies as requested by field operations, assist in US custom issues and transfers.
- Evaluate and generate a vendor/supplier performance scorecard based on quality, price, on-time delivery, inventory management and innovation.
- Maintain strong understanding of market condition, market trends on key commodity driven items, communicates financial implications, and update senior management on potential supply risks.
- Meet with suppliers to maintain relationships and to analyze quotes and service. Analyze buying effectively to ensure best quality, yield, and value are being purchased.
- Monitor and maintain inventory levels utilizing established forecasting methods to ensure an adequate supply.
- Responsible for vehicle registration and insurance needs.
- Directly solve operational issues with vendors. Liaison among suppliers, wholesalers, producers, internal departments and customers.
- Review and resolves vendor claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
- Work with Food Safety Department regarding supply chain documentation, product list and any changes with suppliers new and old.
- Work with accounting on receiving, transfers, costs and reconciliation issues
- Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
- Work with shop manager for purchasing needs over his authorized spending limit.
- Attend and interact in Tuesday’s sales meeting.
- 3 to 5 years of overall combined purchasing and procurement.
- Degree in Business Administration or Accounting preferred.
- Excellent accounting software user and administration skills.
- Be thorough and accurate. You will be tasked with ensuring data integrity, identifying and addressing process improvements in our financial operations and developing solutions. You must have strong organizational skills allowing you to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
- Be proactive. You are eager to contribute and learn, ask lots of questions, and provide solutions before we even know there are issues. You are excited about making ongoing process improvements.
- Be a natural problem-solver. You identify challenges, analyze the root causes, seek to understand rationale behind current processes and provide solutions.
- Work independently and follow tasks through to completion and meet commitments, proactively seeking guidance as necessary.
- Have a positive attitude and the desire to provide impeccable support to Senior Management. Team members with high levels of customer service. You have an ability to communicate directly, concisely and with a balanced tone, on paper and verbally, formally and informally.
