Buyer in Armada, Michigan at Blake's Orchard, Inc.

Who We Are & About This Role

Since 1946, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill has been a cornerstone of Michigan agriculture and agritourism — an 80-year family operation with deep roots in Armada and a genuine growth ambition. We make world-class hard and sweet cider, operate tasting rooms and retail across four locations, and host thousands of guests a year.

The Buyer owns how we source — the suppliers we partner with, the costs we control, and the materials that keep production running and shelves stocked. This is a strategic role for someone who negotiates hard, thinks in systems, and builds supplier relationships that last.

If you’ve turned a vendor conversation into a long-term win, built a sourcing pipeline from scratch, and kept operations moving when supply got tight — we want to hear from you.

Your Role With Blake’s - Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation

• Lead supplier negotiations with clear expectations around cost, payment terms, and service levels

• Establish and manage supplier contracts that deliver competitive pricing and favorable terms

• Benchmark pricing and total cost against market conditions to keep Blake’s ahead

• Deliver measurable cost savings across assigned categories — and be able to show your work

Supplier Development & Risk Management

• Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to improve cost, quality, and supply continuity

• Run RFI/RFQ processes and evaluate vendors on cost, capability, and reliability — not just price

• Build and maintain a backup supplier pipeline for critical materials so we’re never caught flat-footed

• Conduct supplier performance reviews and get ahead of quality or service issues before they hit the floor

Category & Inventory Management

• Develop and manage category-level purchasing strategies across raw materials, packaging, retail, and bakery supplies

• Balance cost, service level, and inventory investment to optimize total business performance

• Monitor demand patterns and align purchasing plans with sales forecasts and seasonal needs

• Manage inventory levels to improve turns and minimize stockouts or dead stock

Procurement Execution & ERP

• Create, track, and manage purchase orders within NetSuite

• Maintain accurate purchasing, inventory, and vendor data in the ERP — clean data is non-negotiable

• Ensure timely ordering and delivery of materials to keep production and retail running on schedule

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with production, retail, bakery, and sales teams to align purchasing with what the business actually needs

• Support new product launches and seasonal planning through proactive, forward-leaning sourcing

• Be the consistent link between suppliers and internal stakeholders — proactive, not reactive

Process Improvement & Performance

• Identify and implement improvements in purchasing processes, inventory accuracy, and cost control

• Establish and track KPIs that measure outcomes — cost savings, fill rates, turns, supplier performance

• Drive accountability for results, not just activity

What Great Looks Like - Qualifications

Backgrounds that succeed here look different: supply chain, food and beverage, agriculture, retail operations, or general manufacturing. What matters is that you’ve delivered results and can prove it.

Required

• 2–5 years in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain — we care about what you’ve built, not just where you’ve worked

• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations with real, measurable outcomes

• Strong commercial instincts — you think in total cost of ownership, not just unit price

• Experience managing category strategy and supplier pipelines

• Comfortable working in an ERP system to manage POs, inventory, and vendor data

• Organized and self-directed; you manage competing priorities without dropping the ball

Preferred

• Food or beverage manufacturing experience — cider, beer, wine, juice, or similar

• Hands-on NetSuite experience

• Experience with seasonal operations and variable demand planning

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field — or equivalent real-world experience

How You’re Rewarded - Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary, performance-based incentive, 401(k) with match, full health/dental/vision benefits, PTO, and all the perks of working at one of Michigan’s most beloved farms. Full details shared during the interview process.

What’s Next - How to Apply

Don’t just send a resume into a void. Reach out on LinkedIn, visit a location, try the cider — show us you want in. We can’t wait to meet the right person.

Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill is an equal opportunity employer.