Agriculture Industry Experience Required.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Director of Purchasing leads the strategic planning, execution, and oversight of all procurement activities across the organization. This role ensures the company is supplied with cost‑effective, high‑quality materials, packaging, services, and equipment needed to support daily operations in a grower, shipper, and packer environment. The Director of Purchasing provides leadership, drives cost‑saving initiatives, develops supplier partnerships, and ensures procurement aligns with company objectives, food safety standards, and operational forecasts.
This role is responsible for building and leading a high-performing purchasing team, developing long-term supply strategies, and optimizing procurement processes to support efficiency, profitability, and sustainability across all business units.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Develop and execute long-term purchasing strategies aligned with organizational goals, seasonal production cycles, and market conditions in the fresh produce industry.
· Lead the purchasing department, providing direction, professional development, and performance management for all team members.
· Establish purchasing policies, guidelines, and best practices to ensure consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
· Oversee high-level negotiations on pricing, contracts, and long-term supply agreements to secure quality products and favorable terms.
· Build and maintain strong strategic supplier partnerships, focusing on performance, reliability, and innovation.
· Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to optimize supply chain resilience and achieve cost savings.
· Lead procurement of key operational materials including: packaging, agricultural inputs, maintenance supplies, equipment, and general operational needs.
· Ensure purchasing decisions meet company standards for cost, quality, sustainability, and food safety compliance (e.g., HACCP, SQF requirements).
· Review and approve major purchase orders, vendor contracts, and supply commitments.
· Partner with Operations, Production, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Finance to support production schedules and operational needs.
· Develop inventory forecasting models and collaborate with warehouses and harvest teams to maintain proper stock levels.
· Support cross-departmental planning to ensure supply continuity during peak seasons and geographic transitions (Salinas/Yuma).
· Lead cost‑reduction initiatives by analyzing market trends, forecasting price fluctuations, and identifying competitive sourcing opportunities.
· Manage the purchasing budget, track department KPIs, and report on cost performance, risk mitigation, and supplier performance.
· Oversee vendor scorecards, audits, and compliance documentation.
· Oversee the use and optimization of ERP and procurement systems to enhance data accuracy and operational efficiency.
· Implement process improvements that streamline purchasing workflows, reduce waste, and improve visibility across the supply chain.
SKILL / QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agriculture, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
· 7+ years of progressive experience in purchasing or procurement, with at least 3 years in a leadership role—preferably in fresh produce, agriculture, or food manufacturing.
· Proven experience leading teams and negotiating complex contracts.
· Strong knowledge of produce packaging, agricultural commodities, equipment procurement, and food safety compliance (HACCP, SQF, FSMA).
· High level of financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and strategic sourcing.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, purchasing/ERP systems and Business Intelligence Applications.
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
· Strong problem-solving ability and sound judgment under pressure.
· Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
Nothing in this job description restricts the company’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibility to this job at any time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The position primarily involves working in a professional office setting, with regular use of computers and communication tools. However, occasional travel and on-site fieldwork are required to support operational needs, particularly during the winter season in Arizona (November to April). This includes occasional visits to fields, plants, supply yards, vendor sites, and operational locations in Yuma, Arizona.
Regular duties include desk-based work such as meetings, documentation, planning, and strategy implementation. Occasional travel to operational sites may require walking, standing, climbing, and direct engagement with operational departments. The role may involve infrequent lifting (up to 25 lbs.) and occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. Employees may experience exposure to mechanical equipment, elevated work areas, and extreme weather conditions (ranging from 25°F to 110°F) during outside field visits.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYER:
The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other factor that may be protected by law. This policy extends to all employees and includes all aspects of the employment relationship.
I acknowledge that I have reviewed the job description and the physical qualifications, and I confirm that I am able to perform the duties as described. I understand that the falsification, misrepresentation, or omission of the facts on any required document submitted may be cause for denial of employment or immediate termination, regardless of when or how discovered.
Salary: DOE
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Agriculture Industry: 1 year (Required)
- purchasing/procurement: 5 years (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Salinas, CA 93901 (Required)
Work Location: In person
