Buyer

About the Position

Buyer

Nigel Frank is seeking a Junior Buyer with 4+ years of experience in procurement to join our team in Atwater, Ohio. The role involves sourcing materials, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Source materials, supplies, and services to support production schedules and operational requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers; evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, and service levels.
• Research and identify new suppliers to improve pricing, quality, reliability, and overall procurement efficiency.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and service agreements to achieve cost savings and operational improvements.
• Create and manage RFPs and other strategic sourcing initiatives as needed.
• Coordinate vendor audits and supplier performance reviews in partnership with Quality Assurance teams.
• Resolve purchasing, delivery, invoicing, and payment discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Maintain and support the accuracy of ERP/MRP purchasing and inventory data.
• Ensure adherence to internal procurement policies, procedures, and compliance standards.
• Manage the complete purchase order lifecycle, including PO creation, supplier acknowledgment, order tracking, delivery coordination, receipt verification, and issue resolution to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment.
• Lead supplier onboarding activities, including vendor qualification, risk assessments, documentation collection, and coordination with Quality and Compliance teams to ensure all regulatory and operational standards are met before approval.
• Food Safety & Compliance Responsibilities
  • Comply with all applicable OSHA, EPA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, and other regulatory requirements.
  • Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and company food safety procedures.
  • Support ongoing food safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum 4+ years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience within food & beverage, consumer products, agriculture, or related manufacturing industries strongly preferred.
• Proven negotiation, vendor management, and strategic sourcing experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels of an organization.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential information.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems; Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Navision experience is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience analyzing and improving procurement processes, policies, and operational procedures.
• Creative thinker with a proactive approach to continuous improvement and cost optimization.

We Offer

• Competitive salary range: $40 to $55 USD
• Contract employment type
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing company

About the Company

Nigel Frank is a leading recruitment agency specializing in placing talented professionals in various industries. We are committed to providing excellent service and helping our clients achieve their business goals.