Agricultural Procurement  Manager

The company is a premium private label snack food marketer with multiple facilities that offers an industry-leading reputation for custom-manufacturing quality snacks of private label products for major retailers with their own controlled brands. The company’s manufacturing is committed to quality, value, customer service and innovation; with entrepreneurship the foundation of the company’s culture.

Position is responsible for sourcing raw materials and ingredients for multi-plant operations and will manage relations with growers, produce brokers and ingredient vendors.  Develop and implement the strategy to expand the domestic procurement of required produce and ingredients to meet the company’s significant growth requirements.  Develop and implement strategy to procure raw product & ingredients that meet or exceed the industries’ quality standards while achieving the lowest utilization cost.

The position reports to the Director for Supply Chain Management

Location: The position will be located close to one of the company’s large processing facilities located in either the “rural area” of the Southeast or Northwest

Travel:  Approximately 40%

Compensation: A meaningful compensation package will be developed for the

successful candidate.  It includes a base salary, annual bonuses, car allowance

vacation program, and an outstanding health and family program.   There is a strong possibility for growth and compensation based on the operational effectiveness and future goals of the corporation and personal performance.

Essential Functions:

• Negotiate annual grower & produce broker contracts for specified tonnage, price,  quality and capability to “deliver just in time” product to meet production requirements at multiple plants.
• Source contractual or, when necessary spot market raw product from growers and brokers to meet continuous operational needs at multiple sources.
• Negotiate annual ingredient requirements with specified vendors

·         Manage relationships with current and potential growers, produce brokers and ingredient vendors. 

·         Ensure that quality standards of delivered raw product and contracted ingredients meet or exceed contractual commitment.

·         Expand both the grower and vender base to meet future company growth requirements.

Knowledge, Education, Skills and Abilities:

·         Requires a Bachelor of Science degree, with a concentration in either Crop Science, Agronomy, Ag Economy or Agriculture Business Management.

·          5 to10+ years of experience procuring agricultural products similar to Corn, Beans, Produce, Potatoes or other commercial grown row crops.

·         Prior produce or ingredient procurement experience with one of the large agricultural based commodity companies is most preferred.

·         Prior experience in developing a vibrant grower base.

·         Experience in developing and implementing indexed or cost plus contract programs

·         Experience in procuring raw product and ingredients for “just in time” deliveries.

Key personal attributes and experience that is required to excel in this position:

·         Have a “can do” attitude.

·          A foundation of the company’s culture is entrepreneurship of the company; with a 24/7 environment

·         Ability to travel as needed.

·         Be aggressive in going after new “best in class” growers and expanding vendor network to ingredient suppliers that commit to highest quality standards and offer long term relations.

·         Take responsibility, not credit.

·         Be a person who listens well.

·         Don’t be a “yes” person … the successful individual will be someone who challenges the status quo and provides new ideas.

·         Have “boots” and a sense of humor.