Dry Goods Purchasing Coordinator

at  Nature Fresh Farms Inc

Nature Fresh Farms is a Leamington-based greenhouse company with facilities in Leamington, ON and Delta, OH as well as Laredo, TX. Our company and its innovative, dynamic team are expanding every day, growing new plant varieties, and introducing cutting-edge ideas and practices to the fresh produce industry. However, at Nature Fresh, we don’t just grow plants – we also grow people. Our team is passionate about bringing the highest quality products to consumers, but it is also committed to creating an inspiring, diverse, and team-oriented workplace environment that everyone can enjoy. Nature Fresh Farms is a recognized leader within the greenhouse farming industry – join our team and help us continue to grow!
We are currently looking to fill a permanent full-time position for a Dry Goods Purchasing Coordinator for our Farm Purchasing Department at our Leamington, ON location.
Reporting directly to the Purchasing Manager, the Farm Dry Goods Purchasing Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of dry goods packaging material required for warehouse production. It is their responsibility to communicate effectively with the production team to ensure supply needs are met in a timely manner, and ensuring materials are purchased based on production demands as well as selecting, evaluating, and monitoring inventory levels.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years proven experience in the agricultural/produce industry and/or purchasing, packaging and/or material planning.
• Critical thinking and attention to detail.
• Extensive knowledge in MS Office (specifically Excel), ERP systems and CHEP program.
• Post-secondary education in Purchasing/Supply Chain Management is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in a professional work environment.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with key suppliers.
• Must be hands-on and process oriented, always looking to improve processes.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a team environment, as well as independently
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment by multitasking and prioritizing work while being attentive to details and quality.
• Ability to embrace and adapt to the rapid growth, innovation, and development of the company.
• Valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle are required.
• Spanish is considered an asset.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• There may be an occasional need for some heavy lifting.
• Balance between sitting, standing, and walking – mainly office environment and some warehouse.
• Must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Support the Production manager with inventory and all aspects of required warehouse production. Coordinate dry goods requirements for all Nature Fresh Farm Production warehouses.
• Monitor inventory levels of assigned farm commodities to maintain healthy inventory levels and increase inventory turns.
• Assess the needs of the operations and purchase dry good materials accordingly.
• Continually analyze incoming goods versus forecast/demand, establish re-order points in the system, and track consumption accordingly.
• Ensure goods are sourced in a timely manner based on equipment design and customer specifications.
• Follow up with vendors regarding orders, and update production teams on any delivery lead time revisions. Follow up regarding service/quality concerns.
• Maintain healthy business relationships with all vendors and suppliers, ensuring they are held to account for goods purchased.
• Monitor dry goods waste and report losses to purchasing team, farm management, and vendors as needed.
• Communicate and issue purchase orders to vendors on a timely basis.
• Highlight obsolete goods, and slow-moving goods to Management for review.
• Ensure packaging trials are thoroughly completed prior to committing to new suppliers or designs. Submit invoices to the Farms Purchasing department for verification.
• Work closely with the Purchasing team to ensure inventory needs align with crop forecasts and schedules.
• Must comply with all Health and Safety, Food Safety, Bio Security, and Nature Fresh Policies and Procedures.
• This job description highlights the main components but is not inclusive of other activities that may be required.