Sourcing Specialist

Job Description

Position Objective:

The Sourcing Specialist is expected to meet the qualifications as outlined below. This position is a vital part to the overall success of our organization as a manufacturer of animal feed and nutrition products and services. This role is expected to support the company in our mission of “Feeding the World through Professionalism, Quality Products and Innovative Solutions”.

You will be proud to work for a company with a strong family history in the animal feed industry and opportunities to grow personally and professionally. We are a company committed to family values, integrity, and innovation. In this position, you will have responsibility for sourcing, negotiation, logistics and contract management of a wide array of feed ingredient inputs and packaging materials. You will work in close cooperation with the sourcing, nutrition, pricing and production teams to assist in buying, pricing and inventory management

In this role, you should be prepared to work in a fast paced, team-centered environment that will challenge you and allow you to use your experience and expertise to develop the company and enhance your continued growth within the animal feed and nutrition industry.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

75% Daily Responsibilities

• Inventory Management

  • Maintaining adequate inventories to meet production demand and proactively address potential supply chain disruptions

  • Coordinate and schedule the transportation of bulk commodities and micro ingredients to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
  • Procure outside manufactured feed products
  • Order packaging materials
  • Maintain accurate forecasts and inventory levels in planning systems, adjusting for demand variability, supplier performance, and market volatility.

• Logistics Management

  • Ensuring on time and in full deliveries from vendors

  • Evaluate and execute on opportunities between production facilities and/or customers

  • Communicate daily with suppliers, carriers, and internal teams to manage logistics timelines and resolve scheduling conflicts

• Purchase Order (PO) and Contract Management

  • Timely and accurate PO entry

  • Vendor pricing discrepancy reconciliation

• Contract & Strategy Negotiation

  • Develop and maintain short- and long-term supplier strategies for feed ingredients

  • Monitor economic indicators and commodity market trends to support logistics planning and procurement decisions.
  • Work with suppliers and the sourcing team to make “market calls” that influence our companies pricing strategy.

• Vendor Relationship Management

  • Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships

  • Continually seeking new or alternative options

• Internal Collaboration

  • Collaborate with procurement, pricing, and nutrition teams to align ingredient sourcing strategies with nutritional formulations and cost targets.
  • Partner with production and plant teams to support demand forecasting, optimize storage utilization, and production constraints.
  • Design, build and maintain process integration across multiple companies
  • Work closely with the Operations Manager aligning sourcing and operational strategies

25% Strategic Projects

• New ingredient evaluations – essential items include safety, reliability, quality and value

• Strategic position management for ingredients purchased

• Market Intelligence knowledge

• Participate in sourcing & pricing team projects, as needed

• Claims process and administration for out of spec ingredients

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field, two (2) years practical experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in a team setting and one-on-one meetings

• Proven experience in ingredient sourcing and supply chain management

• Outstanding analytical skills and a strong customer service mindset

• Comprehensive understanding of merchandising, quality assurance details and inventory management

• Technical and computer related skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office and industry software

• Analysis of risk, risk management with strong decision-making and negotiating skills

• Ability to work across multiple locations and communicate effectively in a virtual work environment

• Thrives in a fast past environment where quick decision making is essential

• Willingness to travel, primarily to industry events and supplier meetings

• Ability to work and office in Boyden, IA.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to bend, stretch, twist and/or reach with your arms and legs

• Ability to safely lift objects and/or products, up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to listen and understand instructions and information and communicating the same

• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical equations

• Ability to understand complex data, formulations and information

• Ability to interpret complex information and explain its meaning to others

• Ability to understand business critical information and negotiate purchasing and pricing opportunities

• Ability to stay strong under pressure, evaluating large amounts of data

• Ability to think rationally and portray sound judgment