Buyer Jobs in Alabama

JOB SUMMARY

The Buyer at Viscofan will be responsible for sourcing and purchasing raw materials, packaging, and other essential supplies required for the manufacturing of casings and other products. This position requires a strategic and analytical mindset to manage supplier relationships, ensure timely delivery of high-quality materials, and achieve cost savings through negotiation and supply chain optimization.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

PROCUREMENT

Procurement Strategy: Develop and implement sourcing strategies for raw materials, packaging, and indirect goods, ensuring alignment with Viscofan’s overall supply chain objectives.

• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with suppliers. Continuously monitor performance, negotiate contracts, and ensure the best possible pricing, quality, and delivery terms.
• Negotiation: Lead negotiations with suppliers on pricing, contract terms, and delivery schedules to ensure cost efficiency and mitigate risk in the supply chain.
• Vendor Management: Lead vendor management and contract negotiation for service providers, negotiating pricing, service-level agreements (SLAs), and renewal terms to optimize cost, performance, and compliance with organizational requirements.
• Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI): Manage VMI programs, collaborating with suppliers to monitor demand, establish min/max levels, and ensure timely replenishment while reducing inventory carrying costs and preventing stockouts.
• Inventory Management: Collaborate with the inventory and production planning teams to ensure optimal stock levels and avoid shortages or excess inventory.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure that all purchases comply with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Manage supplier risks by diversifying supply sources and mitigating disruptions.
• Cost Reduction Initiatives: Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements in the purchasing function, driving initiatives to reduce procurement costs without compromising quality.
• Data Analysis: Leverage SAP, and Excel to analyze procurement spend, VMI inventory levels, supplier performance, and demand trends, transforming data into actionable insights that improve forecasting accuracy, optimize replenishment, support data-driven cost optimization, and strengthen supply reliability.
• Reporting: Monitor and prepare regular reports on key procurement metrics.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders, including production, maintenance, engineering, and R&D teams, to ensure timely availability of materials for manufacturing projects.
• Sustainability & Innovation: Participate in sustainability initiatives by sourcing eco-friendly materials and exploring innovative procurement practices that align with Viscofan’s environmental goals.

PURCHASING

• Post and maintain manual inventory adjustments in SAP accurately and in accordance with established controls.
• Partner with the Inventory Specialist to perform initial comparisons of physical inventory counts against SAP records; coordinate recounts and investigations to resolve variances.
• Monitor and clear COGI errors in SAP by applying knowledge of purchased materials, approved substitutions, and alignment with planning and production requirements.
• Track purchase orders past the delivery due date and proactively follow up with warehouse and receiving teams to ensure timely goods receipt posting.
• Identify, resolve, and escalate issues that delay or prevent accurate goods receipt, ensuring inventory and financial accuracy.
• Conduct ongoing follow-up with requisitioners on purchase orders, including communication of open POs, pending goods receipts, and required delivery date updates.
• Monitor purchase order status and coordinate with internal departments to resolve issues related to delayed receipts, incomplete goods receipt postings, or changes in delivery schedules.
• Provide visibility and accurate reporting on outstanding purchasing activity to support inventory accuracy, financial planning, and operational continuity.
• Collaborate with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure budgeted pricing reflects supplier agreements, market conditions, and operational forecasts.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree or professional certifications (such as CPM or CSCP) are a plus.
• Experience: 5+ years of procurement experience in a manufacturing or preferably in food processing environment, with a focus on raw materials, packaging, or indirect goods.
• Use of MS Office and Excel (Minimum knowledge for sending emails and designing worksheets).
• SAP knowledge preferred.
• VMI Experience.
• Understanding of FIFO inventory strategy.
• 5+ years’ experience in Logistics/Supply Chain or related fields.
• Results-oriented and proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to analyze market trends and data.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

May be required to be in a variety of environments internally and must follow all safety regulations and wear all proper safety equipment.

WHAT WE OFFER:

- Medical, Dental, Optical insurance
- 401(k)
- Life Insurance (AD&D)
- Short term & Long term disability
- Gym Reimbursement

At Viscofan, we are a multicultural, highly skilled, and continually evolving team united by strong values and shared ethical principles. No matter our backgrounds, we are committed to providing stable, high-quality employment and creating workplaces where employees can grow, contribute, and reach their full potential. We are an equal opportunity employer.