Procurement Associate

At Lineage, we have a shared purpose: We are transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world. Lineage Logistics is the industry’s leading innovator in temperature-controlled supply chain and logistics. Lineage’s expertise in end-to-end logistical solutions, its unrivaled real estate network, and its use of technology combine to promote food safety, increase distribution efficiency, advance sustainability, lessen environmental impact, and minimize supply chain waste. As a result, Lineage helps customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small family-owned businesses increase the efficiency and protect the integrity of their temperature-controlled supply chain. In pursuit of this shared purpose we are working to build a world class Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team.
Lineage is currently searching for a Procurement Associate to join our growing team. Ideal candidates possess experience and/or education in business, supply chain management, finance or economics combined with strong technical skills, natural curiosity, and the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative team environment. You will be process oriented and have a high attention to detail to execute the supplier onboarding, contract review and credit card administration processes. You will be responsible for supporting short term (day to day) strategic sourcing strategy and execution for your categories under the supervision of a sourcing lead and maintain a strong focus on supplier management and development (supplier selection, contracts, supplier performance). This includes assisting with aggregated sourcing events (RFPs), managing internal and external stakeholder expectations and contributing toward achieving departmental goals. Emphasis is on delivering high quality goods and services to the organization at the lowest cost in a sustainable and ethical manner.

Job Functions:

• Category Strategy – in conjunction with Sourcing Lead, develop annual category segment strategies and savings targets. Monitor entire purchasing process, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Identify new sources of supply, as well as any opportunities to standardize goods and services across the supply chain.  Use e-sourcing tools to execute RFPs and negotiate with supply base.
• Category Expertise – Develop a deep understanding of category segments under management.  Understand market trends and conditions that impact price and ability of suppliers to deliver goods or services, obtain raw materials, etc.  Demonstrate this knowledge to internal and external stakeholders to influence decision-making.    
• Purchase Process Expertise – support the P2P process to ensure a seamless experience for Lineage’s purchasers resolving issues or providing training where needed.
• Assist, prepare, submit, evaluate, and manage RFP process.
• Administer supplier selection, onboarding, and performance evaluation process to ensure strategic sourcing of high-quality vendors.
• Along with lead, participate in negotiations and administer new or expiring supplier agreements and contracts.
• Participate in the development of specifications for products, supplies and substitute materials.
• Review purchase orders and contracts for conformance to company policy. 
• Source vendors for goods/services and assess them to determine strategic alignment with organization, as well product/service availability and terms of sales alongside category lead.
• Analyze historical spend data to identify new ways to reduce costs and improve quality.
• Monitor shipments to ensure timely delivery, trace shipments, follow up on open orders.
• Administer and manage the Requisition and Purchasing System including preparing and processing requisitions and purchase orders.
• Assist in developing and implementing purchasing instructions, strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in daily and monthly credit card management tasks including managing the inbox resolving issues and queries.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree required.
• 0-3+ years of progressive industry and/or procurement experience.
• General knowledge of strategic sourcing, procurement practices, and business analytics.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office. Power BI or equivalent data analysis and visualization software skills a plus.

• Ability to manage and analyze data. Coding experience welcome (R, SQL, Python).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information and respond to questions crisply and succinctly.
• Comfort working in a hands-on, highly engaged environment and willingness to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility along with a strong work ethic and bias for action.
• Natural curiosity along with a high degree of enthusiasm, commitment, servant leadership skills and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
• Sound judgment and decision making, considering relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Strong analytical skills (both qualitative and quantitative) and attention to detail, including the ability to solve practical problems and analyze processes for improvement.
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service to field and functional partners.
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
• Knowledge of mathematics and some statistics and ability to perform complex calculations.
• Credit card administration experience a plus.
• Estimated travel 0-10%, as necessary to support field operations and supplier relationships.

Lineage Team Members:

• Lead with our core values:  Safe, Trust, Respect, Innovation, Bold, Servant Leadership
• Continually meet internal and external customer expectations through collaborative teamwork and a willingness to help and support others.
• Commit to a culture of safety, promote a safe work environment through personal actions and identification of any safety concerns.
• Demonstrate a natural curiosity about the business and take initiative to continually improve performance and work processes through feedback, problem solving and innovation.

Benefits:

As a Lineage team member, we aim to provide everything you and your family need to thrive. That’s why we offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits including paid time off and 401k, skills training, and development opportunities to grow your career at Lineage

Why Lineage?
This is an excellent position to begin your career path within Lineage! Success in this role enables greater responsibilities and promotions! A career at Lineage starts with learning about our business and how each team member plays a part each and every day to satisfy our customers’ requirements. Beyond that, you’ll help us grow and learn on our journey to be the very best employer in our industry. We’ll ask you for your opinion and ensure we do our part to keep you developing and engaged as we grow our business. Working at Lineage is energizing and enjoyable. We value respect and care about our team members.

Lineage is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful harassment and retaliation.  Lineage will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability or any other protected status under federal, state and local law.
Benefits

Lineage provides safe, stable, reliable work environments, medical, dental, and basic life and disability insurance benefits, 401k retirement plan, paid time off, annual bonus eligibility, and a minimum of 7 holidays throughout the calendar year.