Purchasing Director

Purchasing Director - Food Manufacturing

Location: Escondido, CA

Salary: $160,000-$180,000 DOE | Full-Time | Direct Hire

Staffmark has a direct hire opportunity for a Purchasing Director. This is a key leadership role supporting production, R&D, operations, and company-wide performance initiatives.

Position Overview

The Purchasing Director leads strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost management, and material planning across multiple manufacturing sites. This role ensures consistent raw material availability, cost-effective purchasing decisions, compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, and alignment with company KPIs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Cost Management

• Lead all purchasing activities for ingredients, packaging materials, production supplies, and R&D needs.
• Develop the annual material cost budget and manage forecasts, price trends, and commodity risk (e.g., eggs, flour, sugar, oils, chocolate, dairy, fruits, vegetables, packaging materials).
• Recommend hedging strategies, forward buys, and cost-saving alternatives without affecting product quality.
• Research and source new materials, packaging concepts, and vendors.

Operations & Inventory Management

• Oversee raw material inventory to ensure plant needs are met while minimizing waste and holding costs.
• Ensure timely delivery of materials at the best total cost while maintaining high quality standards.
• Manage inbound freight costs, vendor floor stock commitments, terms, and purchase order accuracy.
• Coordinate with production scheduling to align material needs with changing sales demands.
• Manage workers' compensation reporting, audits, and communications with carriers.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise and develop Purchasing Buyers and supporting staff.
• Provide coaching, performance goals, and career development for the team.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, HR, and leadership teams.
• Uphold a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, PO systems, and invoice approvals.
• Ensure vendor backup supply options are in place for emergencies.
• Monitor industry trends and market movement; communicate updates to senior leadership.
• Support company KPIs including cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and waste elimination.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and urgent deadlines.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ERP experience required (Microsoft Navision or similar).
• Commitment to continuous improvement (CI) and lean manufacturing principles.
• Leadership qualities: team-oriented, dependable, collaborative, and results-driven.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in a production or food manufacturing environment, with 5+ years in a supervisory or management role.
• Extensive purchasing and sourcing experience, preferably in food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of complex manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Ability to lead multiple projects, analyze complex data, and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to travel and work extended hours as needed.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work calmly and professionally while managing shifting priorities.
• Requires sitting or standing for extended periods; ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally.
• Frequent communication with vendors, cross-functional departments, and leadership teams.

Join Our Team

If you are a strategic, hands-on Purchasing Leader with deep food manufacturing experience and a passion for driving operational excellence, we want to hear from you.

Apply today to join our Escondido team as the next Purchasing Director!

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