Position Overview

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for purchasing and purchase planning across the company. The Purchasing Manager forecasts purchasing needs through a keen understanding of the company’s inventory, demand for ingredients and smallwares, and lead times from vendors. 

The Purchasing Manager works closely with the company management to coordinate the delivery and storage of inventory, and to document the required information related to lot control, supplier verification, and food quality and safety programs. This requires an understanding of food safety and quality programs, and keeping up to date lot tracking, supplier verifications and ingredient specifications.

The Purchasing Manager supports a budget of more than $10M in annual purchases, and must diligently seek out purchases that at once meet Bread Alone values and quality standards, and support our long-term financial success. This role will work closely with a deep network of organic and regional suppliers that share in Bread Alone’s support of organic, regenerative agriculture. 

The Purchasing Manager, with support from the Supply Chain and Finance teams, manages the purchasing and leasing of company vehicles, as well as the purchasing and documentation of fleet maintenance and repair services. This role will help analyze and make informed decisions about fleet spending by evaluating all expenses associated with acquiring, operating and maintaining a fleet over its lifecycle.

The Purchasing Manager must embrace Bread Alone’s commitment to the natural world through sourcing products that minimize carbon footprint, and that further Bread Alone’s core purpose of serving honest food, creating prosperity for our people, and minimizing further harm to the planet.

The Purchasing Manager reports to the Director of Supply Chain and works closely with management across Bread Alone. 

Hours: This is a full-time position that is Monday-Friday. Standard working hours is 40-50 hours per week. Flex time adjustments will be required as needed, based on project work or to support the needs of the department. We strive to make schedules as manageable as possible to encourage and allow work-life balance.

Bread Alone's Worldview: Bread Alone Began in 1983 with simple intention: To feed people organic bread baked from a wood-fire brick oven. We run the bakery today with the optimistic belief that good food, an equitable economy and a healthy planet can thrive together. At the heart of our endeavors lies the profound belief that individuals are integral to every positive impact we make. Join us as we collectively strive for excellence in aligning our aspirations with meaningful actions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

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

• Oversee purchasing and inventory levels of all ingredients and smallwares necessary for production at our Certified Organic production bakery.
• Support purchasing and inventory levels for production at our carbon-neutral craft bakery in Boiceville.
• Play a key role in building, scaling and maintaining inventory management processes and systems that minimize COGs while supporting Bread Alone values, production, and food safety needs.
• Actively strengthen relationships with ingredient vendors and trades partners, focusing on organic, regional supplier networks.
• Apply competitive bidding and negotiation strategies to make fact-based purchasing decisions that reduce costs, maintain quality, and optimize warehouse space.
• Source ingredients and cultivate partnerships that support Bread Alone purpose, values, and culture.
• Make purchases that comply with all food safety regulations, certifications (including Organic, Kosher and SQF), and quality programs at the company. 
• Support the analysis and review of product costs, specifications, nutritional profiles, and labeling accuracy for all bread products.
• Maintain documentation and SOPs required to support our Food Safety and Quality program and our accounts payable activities.
• Regularly assess the performance of key strategic vendors, ensuring that contract terms are met, value is maximized, and relationships contribute positively to the overall purchasing strategy.
• Management of all purchases through the supply chain process including sourcing, purchase orders, freight, warehousing, production, and vendor payment.
• Manage the purchasing and leasing of delivery vehicles and assist the Supply Chain team with the administration of maintenance and repair services for the company fleet. 
• Coordinate the financial analysis and reporting for fleet management to provide a comprehensive view of fleet costs and performance.
• Contribute to a culture of data-informed decision-making by supporting the development and tracking of Supply Chain department metrics, KPIs and operational reports.
• Take advantage of professional development opportunities to further professionalize Bread Alone purchasing practices.
• Work collaboratively across departments and support the overall needs of your department

Job Requirements:

• Able to stand for long periods of time while executing tasks quickly and accurately
• Able to to work in a physically demanding fast-paced environment
• Able to tolerate exposure to high levels of heat and cold
• Able to twist and bend repeatedly for long periods of time
• Able to pull, push, move and lift to waist level
• Able to carry awkward and shifting weights up to 50 pounds in a safe and controlled manner
• Willing to follow all Good Manufacturing Practices which includes but are not limited to: Removing any visible or exposed piercings and body jewelry, personal accessories, false nails & refraining from makeup at work (ie. mascara or heavy foundation, lipstick)
• HACCP training or certification
• Proficiency with Excel, relational database systems, and operational reporting
• Experience with Microsoft and Google product suites
• At least 3 years experience in similar roles with increasing responsibility
• Night, weekend, and holiday availability per needs of the department
• Respect for and comfort with a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Able and willing to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and assigned uniform as required per company policy
• Able to gain proficiency in operating and instructing on the proper use of all systems (physical and technological) in use in your department
• Willing to follow all safety guidelines set out by Bread Alone
• Willing to take responsibility for your own and others safety by strictly enforcing all safety rules and regulations and taking steps to mitigate any unsafe conditions or practices enlisting the help of others as needed
• The Bakery is open 365 days a year and team members must be willing to work consistently throughout the year which includes holidays and weekends

Job Type: Full time, exempt

Compensation: Bread Alone is deeply committed to ethically balancing the demands of the business and paying a living wage to all those who contribute to our success. Pay for this position is $58,500 to $90,000 per year.

We Offer

• Company-Wide, Quarterly Bonus: All full-time employees are included in our quarterly bonus program. As you spend more time with us you earn a bigger share of our bonus pool. As our business succeeds so too will you.
• Annual Review: Every year you will receive feedback on your professional development and will be eligible for a raise.
• 401k: Employer match of up to 4% after 6 months
• Paid Time Off: We respect work-life balance. PTO is front-loaded based on employee's anniversary.
• Wellness Time: During the first year of employment wellness time for hourly employees is accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked totaling a yearly amount of 56 hours. For salaried managers, the time is front-loaded upon hire date. Unused time is paid out on the employees one year anniversary.
• CDPHP Health Insurance: Healthcare available through CDPHP. 
• Educational Assistance: up to $2,000 annually
• Holiday Pay: 5 holidays paid at 1.5x hourly rate (overtime rate)
• A robust career with opportunities for development; personally and professionally
• Opportunity to make a positive impact on our team and the food system
• A passion for healing the planet and creating a more racially equitable world
• And much much more!