Buyer in Arden, North Carolina at ARCADIA FARMS LLC

Arcadia is a people-first organization. We exist to care for each other through our actions and values, and to share that with everyone we encounter.

Arcadia Beverage has over 80 years of beverage co-packing experience and we are a pasteurized cold fill scale contract packager of non-alcoholic / non-carbonated beverages for major retailers and food service distributors.

Our Core Values:

• Care Deeply
• Respect & Support the Whole Person
• Grow & Learn Everyday
• Celebrate & Have Fun
• Do What We Say We’re Going to Do

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for forecasting, planning, and purchasing a broad portfolio of ingredients, packaging, and indirect materials to support manufacturing and business continuity at Arcadia. This role partners closely with planning, operations, quality, finance, and suppliers to ensure service, cost, and inventory targets are met while maintaining strong commercial discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage assigned raw materials, packaging, and indirect spend categories across multiple suppliers and plants as needed.
• Develop and maintain forecasting models to support purchasing decisions and inventory planning.
• Analyze usage trends, demand shifts, and production schedules to proactively identify supply risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Select and qualify suppliers within assigned categories, negotiating pricing, payment terms, lead times, and service commitments.
• Create purchase orders, confirm supplier commitments (ASNs, etc.), and follow through on delivery timing, shortages, and exceptions.
• Monitor inventory levels, demand signals, and open purchase orders to help prevent stockouts and excess inventory.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and own corrective action discussions for service, quality, and delivery issues within assigned categories.
• Highlight supply disruptions, quality issues, invoice discrepancies, and shipment exceptions in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain accurate item, supplier, lead time, MOQ, and pricing data in purchasing systems.
• Partner with Production, Quality, and Warehouse to align purchasing activity with operational needs.
• Track supplier performance metrics such as on-time delivery, responsiveness, and service reliability.

Core Competencies

• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through
• Professional supplier communication and negotiating skills
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Forecasting & Inventory Planning
• Strong sense of urgency and accountability
• Collaborative mindset with cross-functional communication strength
• Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 2 to 5 years of purchasing, procurement, or buyer experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing multiple categories or a broad purchasing portfolio rather than a single narrow commodity focus.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems, purchasing workflows, and inventory management fundamentals.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with data, pricing, inventory, and supplier performance information.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or shelf-life-sensitive environment.
• Exposure to ingredient, packaging, or co-manufacturing procurement.
• Familiar with Excel models, demand planning, and supply chain risk management.

Work Environment and Expectations

• This position is primarily office-based with regular interaction across plant, warehouse, planning, and supplier teams. Occasional travel to suppliers, co-packers, or company locations may be required. The Buyer is expected to act with urgency, protect service levels, and contribute to a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

The Perks:

• Generous PTO & Holidays
• 401(K) plan available with employer match
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Company-funded Direct Primary Care
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Professional development opportunities

The Interview Process:

• Initial phone screen with our human resources department
• Second phone screen with the Hiring Manager
• On site interview to tour the facility and meet the team
• Offer

Ready to Join Us?

If you're ready to lead with passion and innovation in the dynamic world of beverages, we can't wait to meet you and see how you can make a significant impact on Arcadia Beverage! Apply now to be part of our refreshing journey.

https://www.arcadiabev.com/careers