Purchasing Specialist at Red River Commodities – Fargo, North Dakota

Red River Commodities is a leading processor of sunflower seeds and specialty grains, specializing in high-quality, nutritious food products. We pride ourselves on our sustainable practices, innovation, and commitment to delivering superior products to our customers. Our team shares core values focused on quality, innovation, responsibility, and community. We work hard, play harder, embrace authenticity, and always support one another to achieve our goals.

Location: 501 42nd St N, Fargo, ND 58102

Position Summary:

The Purchasing Specialist role is critical to ensuring cost-effective, timely, and sustainable ingredient and packaging solutions that support production schedules and meet quality standards. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills, supply chain knowledge, and a passion for optimizing procurement processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement & Sourcing

Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers of ingredients and packaging materials (e.g., raw ingredients, bags, boxes, labels, pallets).

Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure competitive pricing and reliable supply.

Monitor market trends, material availability, and supplier diversification to anticipate changes and mitigate risks.

Inventory & Cost Management

Maintain optimal inventory levels for ingredients and packaging materials to ensure uninterrupted production, while minimizing excess stock and consistently achieving on‑time, in‑full execution.

Track and report on packaging and ingredient spending, cost savings, and supplier performance.

Collaborate with finance and operations to align procurement with budgeted and forecast targets.

Quality & Compliance

Ensure all packaging and ingredient materials meet company specifications, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

Coordinate with quality assurance and production teams to resolve packaging and ingredient-related issues.

Support sustainability initiatives by sourcing eco-friendly and recyclable ingredients and packaging options while upholding margin targets.

Documentation & Systems

Maintain accurate records of purchase orders, supplier contracts, and inventory transactions.

Utilize ERP systems to manage procurement workflows and inventory tracking.

Prepare reports and presentations on procurement performance and opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field preferred but not required.
• 3+ years of experience in procurement or supply chain (packaging or food industry preferred).
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis; ERP systems experience preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Company Benefits:

At Red River Commodities, we value our employees and are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. As a member of our team, you will enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities for career growth and development. Below are some additional benefits that we offer.

On-demand pay available through TapcheckPaid time offPaid Holidays401k & company matchProfit SharingEmployee Assistance Program

Red River Commodities and its subsidiaries are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all employment practices within our organization. Red River Commodities makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

We are committed to maintaining a legal and compliant workplace. As part of our hiring process, Red River Commodities participates in the E-Verify program.