Buyer

Company Description

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands—Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few—there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.

Job Description

To purchase, plan, and coordinate delivery for various materials used in production of products from raw to finish. Meet with suppliers regularly to discuss delivery and quality issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:
• Research and evaluate price, availability, quality, and warranties (as applicable).
• Place purchase orders for supplies, equipment, and services needed; keeping blanket orders in place for long lead time items, and new projects as they arise regarding inventory and new supply requirements. 
• Work diligently to verify that all items required for production, maintenance, and packaging will arrive in sufficient timeliness to meet production schedules.
• Maintain minimum/maximum levels of inventoried items in order to accommodate insufficient warehouse space.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Identify what is required to package product on the production schedule; verify inventory needs.
• Purchases all materials, equipment, supplies, and services for the plant in accordance with prescribed purchasing regulations and procedures.
• Ensure all requirements are accurately entered into SAP - producing purchase orders and/or stock transfers.
• Communicative with vendors to order or release supplies ensuring weekly schedule demands are met on time.
• Works with logistics to arrange transportation (as needed).
• Check outside inventories each week as to what is warehoused at supplier’s facilities. 
• Place orders for items that require longer lead times such as film and caddies. Keeps in contact with suppliers that have longer lead times to ensure materials are produced on time.
• Negotiate component pricing, order, release blanket purchase orders and schedule deliveries to ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining acceptable inventory levels.
• Review purchasing and receiving records; process invoices in a timely manner and ensure that discounts (if applicable) are applied.
• Works closely with Accounting (A/P) to ensure invoices are accurate; research and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Verify large swing items at period end.   
• Contact suppliers on bad items and ensures that it is sent back, with the proper credit received.
• Meet with vendors on a regular basis to discuss issues (i.e., bad supplies, outdated materials, new projects, shipping problems, etc.)
• Receive inventory and supply requirements from appropriate supervisors on a weekly basis (as needed).
• Set-up new vendors.
• Is flexible to work hours beyond and/or outside regular schedule to ensure proper coverage for the position when needed.  Performs duties in an independent manner with minimal direction.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.
• Perform all duties within OSHA and company safety standards; wear PPE and maintain safety equipment (as applicable).
• Maintain a safe, clean and organized work area.
• Immediately report all incidents and deficiencies to the management

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education:         High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:         Associates degree preferred

Required Experience:  1+ years of related experience

Preferred Experience:       Previous buying experience, Knowledge of SAP

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• SAP or ERP equivalent experience
• Able to organize and prioritize in a multi-tasking environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, spelling, and grammar in English.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Good computer skills. Demonstrated proficiency of computers and Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Basic arithmetic calculations. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with remote employees and work as part of a team.
• Suggest improvements to continuously improve the quality and efficiency of all support activities.
• Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related-problems.
• Must work effectively with all levels of management and Team Members
• Demonstrated proactive style that ensures the completion of projects on-time despite obstacles.
• Must demonstrate effective organization, task management, problem solving, presentation, and employee motivational skills
• Ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to independently manage and organize individual projects and work as part of a team.

Additional Information

The starting rate for this role is $65k -$75k (Annual). Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member 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 Team Member will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (i.e. beard/hairnet, ear plugs, frock, boots, etc.), stand for extended periods of time, and use hands/arms to push, pull, reach and occasionally lift above head.  The Team Member must occasionally lift, push, pull up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds infrequently. Team Members are requested to visually inspect equipment and/or product. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant setting with wet/slippery floors, varying degrees of temperatures with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the production area.  Team Members will be exposed to raw and/or cooked meat products and moving equipment and will be required to follow all Food Safety Quality requirements.

EEO Statement:

Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by team members in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of team members performing this role.