Procurement Manager II in Saluda, South Carolina at Palmetto Gourmet Foods Inc

Procurement Manager – Baking / Noodle Manufacturing

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Procurement Manager to oversee sourcing, supplier negotiations, and logistics for our baking/noodle manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for ensuring the consistent and cost-effective supply of key ingredients such as flour, wheat, oils, starches, seasonings, and packaging while maintaining strict quality and food safety standards. The ideal candidate will bring strong negotiation expertise and deep logistics experience, particularly in managing bulk commodities, perishable inputs, and time-sensitive deliveries.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Ingredient Procurement

• Develop sourcing strategies for core commodities (e.g., wheat flour, semolina, rice flour, eggs, oils, salt, yeast, additives, and seasoning blends)
• Manage procurement of packaging materials (bags, cartons, flexible films) aligned with production requirements
• Monitor commodity markets (grain, oil, and energy) to anticipate price fluctuations and secure favorable purchasing positions
• Collaborate with production and R&D teams to support product consistency and new product development

Negotiation & Supplier Management

• Lead contract negotiations for bulk raw materials and long-term supplier agreements
• Secure competitive pricing while ensuring quality, supply reliability, and compliance with food safety standards
• Build strategic partnerships with mills, ingredient processors, and packaging suppliers
• Evaluate and manage supplier performance based on cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives such as alternative sourcing, contract renegotiation, and volume optimization

Logistics & Inventory Management

• Oversee inbound logistics for bulk and packaged ingredients, including tanker, rail, and truck deliveries
• Coordinate storage and handling of high-volume, shelf-life-sensitive materials (e.g., flour freshness, oil stability)
• Optimize transportation routes and freight contracts to reduce logistics costs and improve delivery reliability
• Work closely with production planning to ensure just-in-time delivery while avoiding spoilage or stockouts
• Manage inventory levels considering shelf life, storage conditions (temperature/moisture), and production cycles

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all suppliers meet food safety standards (HACCP, FSMA, FDA/USDA requirements)
• Maintain traceability of ingredients from supplier to finished product
• Partner with Quality Assurance to audit suppliers and resolve quality issues
• Ensure compliance with allergen control, labeling, and ingredient specifications

Risk Management & Continuity Planning

• Identify risks related to commodity volatility, crop yields, and global supply disruptions
• Develop contingency sourcing plans and maintain backup suppliers
• Monitor geopolitical and environmental factors affecting grain and ingredient supply

Process Improvement & Systems

• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage procurement planning, purchase orders, and tracking
• Analyze procurement data to improve cost efficiency and supplier performance
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement and logistics processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Food Science, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of procurement experience in baking, milling, noodle production, or related food manufacturing
• Strong experience sourcing agricultural commodities and managing supplier contracts
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality, shelf life considerations, and storage requirements
• Experience with bulk logistics and food-grade transportation

Skills & Competencies

• Expert-level negotiation and contract management skills
• Strong understanding of commodity markets (wheat, oils, grains)
• Advanced logistics coordination and inventory planning capabilities
• Strong analytical and financial acumen (cost modeling, forecasting)
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills
• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.) and Excel

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost reduction and commodity cost management
• Supplier reliability (on-time, in-full deliveries)
• Ingredient quality and compliance performance
• Inventory turnover and waste/spoilage reduction
• Freight and logistics efficiency
• Supply continuity during market fluctuations

Work Environment

• Fast-paced manufacturing setting with high production volume
• Frequent collaboration with production, QA, and planning teams
• Occasional travel to mills, ingredient suppliers, and distribution hubs

Why Join Us

• Play a critical role in securing the ingredients behind essential staple foods
• Opportunity to shape procurement strategy in a commodity-driven market
• Competitive compensation and strong growth potential

EEO Statement

PGF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

Palmetto Gourmet Foods is a drug free workplace.