Who We Are

Since 1955, we have been on a mission To Passionately Feed Millions Daily with High Quality Food People Enjoy! We are a third-generation family-owned and professionally managed organization with a commitment to strategic growth. We continue to be successful because of talented people, just like you, who choose to join our family and call E.A. Sween home. We pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming, respectful, and rewarding culture where employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work each and every day. At E.A. Sween, our team members are seen, heard, and appreciated not just for what they do, but for who they are. We hope you’ll join us!

What We’re Seeking

A strategic Senior Category Buyer who can lead with vision, optimize supplier performance, and deliver value through category strategies that support innovation, growth, and operational excellence. This individual will combine analytical rigor with strong relationship management to ensure E.A. Sween remains a customer of choice among its supply partners.

Compensation:  The target salary range for this position is $65,000 - $90,000 annually, consistent with our internal compensation framework.  This position is classified as Grade 13, with a full pay range of $64,327.67 to $96,545.96.  You are eligible for an incentive bonus up to 5% of your annual salary, prorated based on your start date.  Final pay will be determined by your experience, skills, internal equity, and available budget.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Manage relationships with industry partners to ensure “customer of choice” profile. Follow macro and micro economic trends and inform the organization of implications and potential choices for execution. Lead category buying by sourcing quality materials at competitive prices to support plants production while ensuring on time delivery. Align cross-functionally with internal partners to adequately support potential innovation or new tools. Create category strategies to ensure EA Sween has access to the best suppliers and industry capabilities available to achieve our goals.

Category & Supplier Management

• Lead category sourcing and negotiation for assigned materials, managing approximately $XXM in annual spend across key ingredients and service categories.
• Source high-quality materials at competitive prices to support production and ensure on-time delivery.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and service-level agreements that align with business goals.
• Monitor market trends and economic indicators, translating insights into actionable category strategies.
• Ensure supplier capacity and customer service levels meet the needs of all production facilities.

Risk Management& Business Continuity:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, including material shortages, cost fluctuations, and capacity constraints.
• Develop and execute contingency and dual-sourcing strategies for critical materials.
• Establish and track key KPIs (on-time ship, cost, throughput, yield loss, etc.) to ensure proactive management of supplier performance.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, and R&D to model potential impacts of commodity price changes and industry dynamics.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate closely with Production, Planning, Transportation, FSQA, Sales, Marketing, and R&D to align procurement activities with business needs and innovation pipelines.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that drive cost savings, quality enhancements, and process efficiencies.
• Communicate clearly and consistently across departments to ensure shared visibility into supply conditions, risks, and opportunities.

Leadership Through Expertise

• Serve as a subject-matter expert, offering guidance and insight to peers and cross-functional partners.
• Support the Procurement team in developing and executing category strategies that align with business goals.
• Model effective supplier relationship management and collaboration across departments.
• Help define SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) success metrics for procurement initiatives and category goals.

Technical Expertise:

• Apply advanced cost modeling, commodity forecasting, and contract negotiation techniques.
• Leverage ERP systems (e.g., JDE) and advanced Excel analytics for data-driven decision-making.
• Utilize external expertise and market data to assess industry trends and supply dynamics.
• Think strategically 3–5 years out to anticipate material needs, supplier evolution, and emerging risks.

What You’ll Need (Qualifications)

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA or CPM/CSCP certification preferred).
2. Minimum 5 years of diverse procurement and supply chain experience with increasing responsibility.
3. Advanced analytical and Excel skills; ability to interpret and act on complex data sets.
4. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills; able to influence and collaborate cross-functionally.
5. Demonstrated ability to anticipate market changes and adapt sourcing strategies accordingly.
6. Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., JDE) preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Primarily office-based using a computer and telephone.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Occasional evening or weekend work as needed.
• Travel approximately 20–30%, including vendor site visits and plant support.

How You’ll Find Success at EAS

• Value People Most of All: Show respect & care, embrace diversity, and empower others.

Commit to Safety Everyday: See something say something do something, practice safe behavior, and celebrate safety success.

• Invest in Our Company to Thrive: Share ideas to improve, learn & grow, and embrace change.
• Think Before Doing and Act Decisively: Make thoughtful decisions, work together to find solutions, and do what’s right.
• Welcome Constructive Straight Talk: Be honest and respectful even when difficult, be open to ideas and feedback, and ask questions to understand.
• Serve Up Exceptional Experiences: Provide value to customers, take pride in your work, and help others to be successful.
• Enjoy What You Do!: Have a positive attitude, Live the Spirit of E.A. Sween, and celebrate success.