Materials Buyer

Buyer (Procurement)

Innovations in Nutrition + Wellness (INW or the Company) Dallas, TX

The leading solutions partner serving the global nutrition & wellness industry, INW is a portfolio company of Cornell Capital with over 1,800 associates across our U.S. footprint.

The Company's operations include formulation and production of nutrition products across a spectrum of formats, unique R&D capabilities, market insights and a focus on quality and customer service.

In total, INW serves 150+ customers across the nutrition & wellness industry including sports nutrition, diet, energy, hydration, personal care, cosmetics, pet care and other related subsectors.

The Company is headquartered in the Salt Lake City, UT area and includes six operating divisions that span a footprint exceeding 1,500,000 sq. ft. both Domestically and Internationally:

• INW / Bee Health Bridlington, UK production of powders, tablets, capsules, liquids and cosmetics
• INW / Capstone Ogden, UT production of powders, tablets and capsules
• INW / Dallas Dallas, TX production of liquids, gel packs and cosmetics
• INW / Living Ecology Henderson, NV production of nutrition and functional fruit bars, as well as capsules
• INW / Phoenix Formulations Phoenix, AZ production of powders, tablets and capsules
• INW / ProForm Benicia, CA production of powders concentrated across all types of protein

At INW, you'll find a collaborative and challenging work environment that is built around our mission to be the world's leading solutions partner serving the global Nutrition & Wellness industry.

Job Description

• Classification: Full-time
• Reports to: Director of Logistics and Operational Analytics

Position Summary:

This position is primarily responsible for purchasing merchandise or commodities for resale by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Buyer sources, negotiates with, and manages suppliers to procure raw materials, components, and services necessary for production, ensuring timely delivery, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Key responsibilities include issuing purchase orders, analyzing supplier performance, monitoring inventory levels, and collaborating with internal teams like engineering and production. Desired skills include strong negotiation, analytical and communication abilities, supply chain knowledge, and proficiency in procurement software.

Additional responsibilities will include sourcing and design help with the internal commercialization team for new product development and ownership of the printed artwork review process.

• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and select vendors based on quality, price, and reliability, and negotiate contracts for favorable terms.
• Procurement & Order Management: Issue purchase orders, monitor order status, and ensure timely delivery of materials to meet production schedules.
• Inventory Control: Monitor inventory levels to ensure materials are available without excessive overstocking.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure purchased materials meet quality standards and resolve discrepancies or issues with suppliers promptly.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal departments such as production, engineering, and quality control to align procurement with overall business needs.
• Market Analysis: Stay informed about market trends, new materials, and technologies to identify cost-reduction opportunities and improve efficiency.

Competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years of related experience and/or training required.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; Inventory software; Order processing systems; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Innovations in Nutrition & Wellness