SUMMARY

This role contributes to Ken's Foods success by developing and standardizing procurement processes while simultaneously building solid relationships with both internal business partners and external suppliers. This Data Analyst/Buyer will identify, develop, and implement best practices that will provide insight into business trends to help the Ken's Procurement team drive suppliers to higher levels of performance, as well as establish improved processes across Ken's cross-functional departments to effectively manage changing requirements. This Data Analyst/Buyer will support Operational Buying responsibilities for Packaging and Raw Materials, on an as needed basis. All Ken's Employees are accountable for creating and maintaining a culture of Safety and assuring a safe work environment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities and essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Lean Process Improvements/Data Analysis

• Regularly interface with Procurement Team members to drive value across the Supply Chain
• Streamline procurement processes (including with Suppliers and at the Plants)
• Perform value engineering activities for existing contract products/services
• Develop standard process to manage at-risk, high priority material constraints across all four plants (i.e. establish daily/weekly trackers, create demand forecasts, etc.)
• Develop standard process for New Customer Launches to determine the impact to Materials
• Work with Operations Purchasing to identify unique/volume driving materials
• Work with Sourcing to understand new formula requirements that impact existing materials
• Work with Supply Chain and Sales to determine pipeline and on-going requirements of New Product Launches
• Improve and manage Discontinuation process and communications (cross-functional)
• Identify unique/volume driving materials
• Develop discontinuation/obsolete plan and determine monetary impact
• Consolidate and standardize processes/reports (Operations/Sourcing and Ingredients/Packaging), including but not limited to:
• Quarterly Inventory results
• Unit Pricing/Freight Changes across Ingredients, Packaging
• Identify areas of improvement that will benefit from a standardized process and/or increased data analysis (i.e. National Account demand forecasting)
• Create and refine Power BI reports to support Team's analysis requirements for both Sourcing and Operations Procurement
• Lead Master Data Integrity/Management for Procurement related attributes to support MRP implementation
• Support other projects or processes, as directed

Procure to Pay/Plant Support (Back-Up Responsibilities)

• Responsible for replenishment of materials, building trucks from various supplier locations, while monitoring lead times, order quantities, storage requirements, and shelf life (as applicable)
• Determines appropriate order quantities to balance demand and financial resources (i.e. available warehouse footprint)
• Ensures seamless delivery of goods (and services) to Ken's; managing inventory for zero out of stocks
• Coordinate "Collect/Backhaul" Truckloads with the Logistics Department and identify/execute opportunities to streamline Freight costs, as needed
• Ensure that material pricing/freight costs are accurately invoiced per Contracts and Pricing Agreements
• Review the Daily Exception report and expedite materials as needed to cover Plant production, as needed
• Review the weekly Inventory Discrepancy report and work with Plant(s) to adjust, as needed
• Manage/oversee reverse logistics; work with Quality, Plant, and Supplier in the event of a material issue (Return to Vendor, oversee reimbursement process)
• Be adept at crisis management and have excellent multi-tasking skills when issues arise involving any materials used in production
• Primary contact for Plant Personnel for any material issues; available 24/7 to handle material issues that could cause potential Plant downtime
• Facilitate the transfer of materials from Plant to Plant, as needed, while monitoring the formula transitions between Plants
• Minimize obsolescence, tracking discontinuations and slow-moving materials (review short-shelf life report and "dead" inventory report)
• Manage and facilitate quarterly inventory responsibilities
• Manage invoice discrepancies with Accounting via DocStar
• Back-up for other Materials/Plants, as needed
• Manage item creation and ongoing data integrity maintenance (LT, SS, MOQ, ROQ, Shelf-Life, Pricing, COO, etc.), as needed
• Manage Supplier set-up and on-going maintenance, as applicable

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience

• Four-year degree in related field preferred
• 3-8 years with Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, and/or Inventory Management experience
• 3-8 years in Direct Buying, Supplier Management, and/or Project Management experience
• 3+ years Cross-functional Team Management Experience
• Highly proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Syspro or other ERP System experience a plus

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Highly proficient in data analysis, problem solving, and decision making
• Highly proficient in trouble shooting data integrity issues within Procurement system(s)
• Highly proficient in maintaining accurate information about items and suppliers
• Proficient in applying broad based business disciplines/knowledge to support Procurement activities
• Proficient in enhancing productivity and effectiveness using Supply Chain/Procurement tools and techniques
• Ability to work on site at Ken's (this is not a remote position)