Buyer - Berkeley, IL

SUMMARY

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing and managing the raw materials required to support uninterrupted production at the Berkeley facility. This position uses ERP planning outputs, production schedules, inventory levels, supplier lead times, pricing, minimum-order requirements, and capacity constraints to make timely purchasing decisions. The Buyer works closely with Planning, Operations, Nutrition, Procurement, and suppliers to prevent shortages, resolve supply-chain disruptions, manage substitutions and item transitions, and support supplier qualification and new product sourcing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES:

Purchasing and Production Support

• Orders the raw materials required for plant operations, considering supplier minimums, lead times, capacity, contract pricing, and inbound timing.
• Monitor Sage X3 ERP planning outputs, including MRP and MPS requirements, to determine order quantities and delivery timing needed to support the master production schedule.
• Partners with Planning and Operations to assess production needs, identify missing materials, and prevent production delays.

Inventory and Item Management

• Manage site inventory through purchasing decisions, item-transition planning, approved substitutions, and participation in the menu-development process.
• Identifies excess inventory, obsolete materials, discontinued items, and transition risks and works cross-functionally to develop appropriate usage or disposition plans.
• Collaborates with Nutrition and Operations on approved substitute items and maintains the substitution tracker.

Supplier and Supply-Chain Coordination

• Maintains frequent, proactive communication with suppliers regarding purchase-order status, delivery timing, shortages, delays, and other supply risks.
• Works with alternate suppliers and sources to resolve disruptions and fulfill production requirements when shortages, transportation issues, or other supply-chain constraints arise.
• Generates credit reports and follows up with vendors regarding credits owed to Whitsons.

Supplier Qualification and Sourcing

• Supports the maintenance and management of vendor compliance documentation associated with the Supplier Qualification and Approval process.
• Assists with sourcing and evaluating new suppliers and products for new business opportunities and operational requirements.
• Coordinates with Procurement, Nutrition, Operations, and other stakeholders to confirm product suitability, supplier readiness, and continuity of supply.

This role offers a salary range of $70,000 – $75,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and time off

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Experience

• Three or more years of buying or similar supply chain experience preferred. 

Certifications

• HACCP or ServSafe certification is a plus.
• ASCM certification is a plus. 

Technical Proficiency

• Proficient with Microsoft Suite, most importantly Excel.
• Experience with ERP Systems specifically Sage X3 is preferred. 

Other Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple purchasing priorities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and remain effective in a fast-paced food-manufacturing environment.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Communicates purchasing priorities, supplier issues, risks, and required actions clearly and promptly.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains accurate purchase orders, inventory information, delivery dates, pricing, and supplier documentation.
• Planning and Organization: Prioritizes competing requirements and coordinates materials to support production schedules.
• Problem Solving: Identifies supply risks, evaluates alternatives, and implements practical solutions with appropriate stakeholders.
• Business Judgment: Balances cost, service, inventory, quality, supplier capacity, and operational needs when making purchasing decisions.
• Collaboration: Builds productive relationships with suppliers and cross-functional partners in Planning, Operations, Nutrition, and Procurement.
• Adaptability and Results Orientation: Remains organized in a fast-paced environment and responds effectively to changing production and supply-chain needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER DETAILS

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position. Standard hours are Monday–Friday and are aligned with the Berkeley facility’s production and business needs. Occasional extended hours, including evenings and/or weekends, may be required during peak production periods or to address urgent supply needs.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel may be required to supplier locations, other Whitsons facilities, or business meetings. Travel may include visits to multiple work sites and occasional out-of-state travel. A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are preferred.

Physical Demands of the Job

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The position requires standing and walking for portions of the workday, including movement through storage, packing, warehouse, and production areas. The team member is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, including lifting while turning from side to side. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is performed primarily in an office setting and secondarily in manufacturing, packing, warehouse, storage, and freezer areas at the Berkeley facility. The noise level is generally moderate in the office and may be moderate to loud in operational areas. The position requires periodic standing and walking and movement near heavy machinery and through temperature-controlled areas.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work and duties that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position, and the Company reserves the right to add additional duties or modify existing duties.