Strategic Buyer

Description

ABOUT THE COMPANY

NaturVet has been an industry leader in the development and manufacturing of natural pet supplements and other essential solutions for over 30 years. Our competitive advantage lies with our people, and we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace, opportunities for advancement, and a healthy work-life balance.

Located in Temecula, California, NaturVet is one of the largest pet supplement manufacturers in the United States. Our operations span four facilities within a two-mile radius, including two manufacturing facilities where we produce Soft Chews, Powders, Tablets, and Liquids for our trusted NaturVet brand and as private-label products for several high-profile companies.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a detail-oriented, proactive Strategic Buyer to support our manufacturing operations through effective sourcing, purchasing, and supplier relationship management. In this role, you will manage assigned purchasing categories from supplier selection and negotiations through purchase order execution, delivery coordination, and issue resolution to ensure materials are available when needed, meet quality requirements, and support business objectives.

The Strategic Buyer balances strategic sourcing and supplier development with day-to-day purchasing execution. You will partner closely with Production, Operations, Planning, Quality, R&D, Finance, and other internal teams to maintain supply continuity, manage costs, improve purchasing efficiency, and address changing business needs.

Depending on assigned categories and business priorities, responsibilities may include packaging, labels, ingredients, raw materials, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies, and other production-related materials. This role also supports supplier qualification, onboarding, quality documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen supplier performance and purchasing processes.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Purchasing & Supply Management: Manage the end-to-end purchasing process for assigned categories, including sourcing, purchase order creation and maintenance, order tracking, delivery coordination, and resolution of purchasing issues.
• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiations: Identify and evaluate suppliers, obtain competitive quotes, negotiate pricing and purchasing terms, research market trends, and identify cost-saving and sourcing opportunities.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships, monitor supplier performance, address service or delivery concerns, and support ongoing supplier evaluations and improvements.
• Material Availability & Inventory Support: Partner with internal teams to anticipate material requirements, monitor inventory and purchasing needs, and proactively address potential shortages, delays, or excess inventory.
• Supplier Qualification & Onboarding: Source and qualify new suppliers and coordinate onboarding documentation and internal approvals to ensure accurate and complete setup within the ERP system.
• Sample & Approval Coordination: Manage sample and First Article Inspection (FAI) processes, including sample requests, supplier follow-up, testing, evaluation, status tracking, and approval documentation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Production, Operations, Planning, Quality, R&D, Finance, and other departments to align purchasing activities with production schedules, specifications, cost objectives, and business needs.
• Pricing & Invoice Resolution: Investigate pricing discrepancies and coordinate with suppliers, Finance, and internal stakeholders to support accurate invoicing and timely invoice approvals.
• Systems, Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, purchase order, and product information; support audits and supplier documentation requirements; and follow company policies, quality standards, applicable regulatory requirements, and food safety and GMP requirements.
• Team Support & Flexibility: Provide backup purchasing coverage across categories as needed, support assigned MRO purchasing activities, maintain standard operating procedures, and participate in cross-training and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or materials management.
• Experience in manufacturing, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), supplements, cosmetics, or a similar industry preferred.
• Experience managing multiple purchasing categories, such as packaging, labels, ingredients, raw materials, MRO, or other manufacturing-related supplies, preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong supplier relationship management, sourcing, and negotiation skills, including the ability to manage pricing, lead times, material availability, and supplier performance.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate options, resolve issues, and make sound decisions.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and follow-through, with the ability to independently manage priorities and proactively address risks.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a changing operational environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build productive relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify sourcing opportunities, recommend process improvements, and contribute to purchasing and supplier strategies.
• Knowledge of FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and applicable industry compliance requirements.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to communicate effectively, review purchasing documentation, and use business systems.

Systems & Technology

• Strong proficiency with ERP systems and purchasing, procurement, inventory, or purchase order tracking systems.
• Above-average proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.

Compensation: $75,000–$90,000 annual salary

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt, on-site in Temecula, CA; not eligible for remote work

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D, supplemental coverage, employee product discount, 401(k) with Company match, and paid time off

Recruitment Process: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may begin before the posting closes. NaturVet reserves the right to fill the position and close the posting at any time. No unsolicited agency or recruiter submissions, please.

This job posting is intended to provide a general overview of the role and is not a comprehensive or exhaustive description of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions, including physical demands and work environment. A complete job description is available upon request. Please contact [email protected] if you would like additional information about the position.