The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading a team of buyers and managing certain raw material & packaging categories for Synergy. The position will lead specific categories as well as supervise and lead the work of department team members. The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for approximately $30M in annual spend supporting four manufacturing sites. Categories under leadership include Coffee, Tea, Citrus Oils, Ethanol, Fruit Juices & Purees, Colors, Vanilla, Food Chemicals, Agricultural Ingredients, Spices, Acidulants, Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Processing Aids and Packaging. In addition to leading and developing their buying team, the role is responsible for implementing purchasing strategies, effectively developing and maintaining supplier relationships, optimization and cost management, bidding, contracting and budgeting as well as cross-functional collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the daily management and oversight of multiple raw material categories for the Procurement Team.
• Collaborates cross-functionally w/Planning, Customer Service, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, R&D and Sales.
• Motivates their team and builds the skills of a high performing Procurement Team.
• Possesses strong professional maturity, business acumen, drive for results and customer focus
• Develops and maintains relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders for assigned categories.
• Drives cost savings and inventory optimization efforts for the department.
• Delivers best overall value to Synergy including an understanding of commodity markets, the supply base, and internal requirements. Leads supplier activities, including RFQ’s; review of proposals; cost value analysis, new supplier qualification and communication of category results to the organization.
• Establishes cost standards for annual budget. Monitors costs. Provide monthly reports on Purchase Price Variance to management.
• Implements and manages flexible strategies and material agreements with suppliers to support requirements.
• Monitors material availability and manages risk associated with supplier performance.
• Monitors purchases to ensure conformance to specification, price, delivery and quality.

Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline required, APICS and CSPM certification preferred
• 7+ years of experience in a purchasing environment, food ingredients or food and beverage manufacturing experience a strong plus.
• 3+ years leading direct reports including setting performance goals and driving performance of the team.
• Strong collaborative leadership skills and the ability to partner cross-functionally to achieve company objectives.
• Procurement-specific skills include supplier relationship management, negotiation, contracting and lean operating techniques.
• Experience working with Microsoft D365 ERP system a plus.
• Strong analytical ability and project management skills, Effective at managing a project team
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills with advanced Excel capabilities a strong plus.

Salary range: $104,000.00 - $129,500.00

The actual compensation that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled.

For more information on our benefits click here.

Department: Operations

Location: Wauconda, Illinois

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Reporting To: Director of Procurement