Purchasing Specialist / Buyer

Impact Confections is a high-growth confectionery company producing the fastest‑growing sour candy brand in the U.S. The company offers a balanced mix of everyday and seasonal products through its two leading brands, WARHEADS® and Melster® Candies. With strong momentum across major U.S. and international retailers and key distribution channels, Impact Confections is positioned for substantial near‑term growth. We are seeking a dynamic and analytical Purchasing Specialist / Buyer to join our team. SUMMARY The Purchasing Specialist supports and coordinates purchasing, acquisition, and demand planning activities for ingredients, packaging, co‑manufacturing and bought‑in finished goods. The role manages both domestic and international suppliers and contributes to cost optimization, risk mitigation, and operational continuity. The ideal candidate brings solid procurement experience across Direct Materials, Indirect Materials, and Services, with strong analytical capabilities, a customer‑centric mindset, and a process‑improvement orientation. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES & COMPETENCIES Source to Contract (S2C): Prepare sourcing events (RFI/RFQ/RFP), validate requirements and specifications with stakeholders, apply TCO criteria, negotiate and recommend awards, support contract review/execution with Legal, and manage supplier onboarding. Procure to Pay (P2P): Evaluate purchase requisitions, generate accurate POs, send POs to suppliers, confirm acknowledgments, track deliveries/ETAs and expedite, resolve GR/IR and invoice discrepancies with AP, and close orders. Category Coverage: Manage end to end procurement for Direct Materials, Indirect Materials, and Services, aligning with demand, quality, and cost targets. Planning & Inventory: Build demand plans integrating production schedules, supplier capacity, lead times, and on hand inventory; maintain Kanban/min max/safety stock to minimize obsolescence. Inbound Logistics: Plan/manage inbound flows (including imports) to ensure on time availability at optimal cost. Supplier Management (SRM): Qualify, evaluate, and monitor suppliers; participate, when necessary, in Business Reviews, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives. Risk Management: Identify supply risks (capacity, quality, geopolitical, single source); implement mitigation frameworks and dual sourcing when appropriate. Negotiation & Contracts: Lead negotiations for pricing, commercial terms, service levels, and long‑term agreements; support contract and performance management. NPD & Changes: Support domestic/international new product development (NPD); coordinate material changes and ramp up/ramp down plans to protect service and cost. Artwork & Packaging: Ensure timely release of approved artwork/graphic files to packaging suppliers and printers. Cost & Working Capital: Drive cost reduction initiatives (should cost, value engineering, consolidation) and optimize inventory to improve cash and reduce write‑offs. Analytics & Automation: Build reports/dashboards with advanced Excel and Power BI; leverage SQL/Python/VBA to improve data quality and streamline processes. Stakeholder & Customer Focus: Provide timely, solutions‑oriented support to Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Planning; communicate tradeoffs clearly. Digital Fluency & Process Discipline: Work effectively within ERP/MRP; maintain clean supplier and material master data and adhere to procurement policies and ESG/responsible sourcing practices. PROBLEM SOLVING Initiative & Ownership: Proactively identifies issues and opportunities and drives actions without waiting for direction. Autonomy with Alignment: Works independently and self‑manages priorities while keeping the manager informed with clear, concise updates. Structured Problem Solving: Breaks down problems, identifies root causes, and implements sustainable countermeasures. Effective Escalation: Escalates risks or blockers at the right time, providing context, options, and a recommended path forward. Decision Making Under Uncertainty: Makes sound, timely decisions with incomplete information, balancing risk, cost, service, and quality. Comfort with Ambiguity: Operates effectively amid changing requirements, adjusting plans and communicating impacts and tradeoffs. Continuous Improvement Mindset: Standardizes, documents, and optimize processes to improve reliability, speed, and compliance. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field; 2+ years of relevant procurement experience (manufacturing/FMCG/food preferred). Proven experience purchasing Direct Materials, Indirect Materials, and Services. Strong command of TCO, sourcing strategy, supplier lifecycle management, and basic contract/commercial terms. Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiations, performance management, and issue resolution. Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle; Microsoft Business Central a plus). Advanced Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas, Power Query; macros preferred) and experience with Power BI or similar BI tools. Data management skills and a structured, process driven approach. Basic knowledge of SQL, Python, or VBA to support reporting and automation. Strong communication skills in English and ability to collaborate across teams in a fast‑paced environment. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience in confectionery, food & beverage, or consumer packaged goods. Exposure to category strategy, spend analysis, cost modeling, and supplier risk assessment tools. Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma). Familiarity with ESG/responsible sourcing considerations. COMPUTER SKILLS Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to learn additional applications essential for job tasks. WHAT WE OFFER Collaborative, high‑energy environment with opportunities for growth. Involvement in procurement and data driven initiatives. Active interaction with cross functional stakeholders. Multicultural environment. Exposure to domestic and international supply base. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS None required. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Ability to push and/or pull up to 1,500 lbs on pallet jacks. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Impact Confections is an equal opportunity employer and a Drug Free workplace. #J-18808-Ljbffr