Job Description

This role is 100% on-site at our Manufacturing Plant/Distribution Center.

SUMMARY

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing Indirect equipment, goods, and services utilized by Heartland’s plant and corporate office. With visibility to approved purchase requisitions, the Buyer reinforces Heartland’s policies and procedures as well as escalating issues as needed. Working with suppliers and internal Heartland stakeholders to resolve delivery timing issues and invoice price variances, the Buyer has a strong command of Heartland’s ordering and inventory management systems. Further, the Buyer maintains the cleanliness of PO and inventoried material data and maintains key supplier documents including effective copies of contractor Certificates of Insurance.

STRATEGIC SOURCING AT HEARTLAND FOOD PRODUCTS GROUP

Heartland Food Products Group is a dynamic, fast-growing organization committed to positively impacting the world. We are passionate about building brands and fostering a results-driven culture that provides opportunities to learn and develop your career rapidly. Heartland Food Products Group makes SPLENDA® Brand Sweeteners and many other brands and product lines. Heartland’s Strategic Sourcing team fuels Heartland’s growth by cultivating strategic alliances with our manufacturing team and key supply partners, while delivering exceptional service, premium quality, and market-leading, competitively priced solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure Supply

• Manage the Purchase Order (PO) process from PO issuance and confirmation to delivery for Goods and Services supporting plant operational teams, R&D, Quality, Distribution Center/ Warehouse, MRO items, IT, Marketing, Finance, and inventoried merchandise and equipment.
• Confirm needed items and quantities from stakeholder requests in Megamation (Plant & Warehouse spend) and Sharepoint (Marketing/ Brand/ Merchandise/ Equipment). Utilize ERP suggested purchase order reports to identify needed re-order quantities for inventoried items.
• Monitor the timeliness of material deliveries to ensure materials are available to meet timelines, following up with suppliers where needed.
• Enter goods receipts (GRN) for equipment and services in Megamation and Heartland’s ERP system as equipment is received or services are completed.
• Foster and maintain productive and positive working relationships with suppliers.

Process Support

• Maintain contractor Certificate of Insurance copies monitoring expiration dates for current contractors.
• Collect new supplier documentation and coordinate system setup with Finance.
• Advise requestors of location to access Heartland’s preferred supplier lists, supply policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with supply policies and procedures, including ethical and legal guidelines.

Issue Resolution

• Investigate and resolve price variances from PO to invoice with Accounts Payable and suppliers.
• Escalate delivery delays or quality issues to PO requestors for assistance to mitigate supply gaps.
• Identify purchase requisition non-conformances to Heartland’s policies and guidelines, escalating gaps to leadership as needed.

Data Governance

• Set up and maintain accurate sourcing-specific Master Data for inventoried stock codes in Heartland’s centralized ERP system (material package size, order quantities, artwork/ die line details, warehouse codes, product classification).
• Review the minimum/maximum quantity calculations for inventoried stock codes weekly and update the ERP system minimum/maximum values where there are changes.
• Close purchase orders in ERP system after all open items have been received.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3 years or more relevant experience in a Buying role.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES

• Highly organized, strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• An effective negotiator and influencer with demonstrated examples working with internal customers and external suppliers/partners.
• Collaborative and team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills. Operates with high energy and passion for the company's mission and the Sourcing function.
• Focused on building and maintaining collaborative relationships with suppliers. Anticipates and mitigates service, quality, and financial market changes.
• Demonstrates a strong continuous improvement mindset, actively seeking opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality.

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