Procurement Specialist

About Us:We’re a thriving food manufacturing business committed to creating sustainable impact for people, through great tasting food. Our vision is to use our products to drive “better for you” food to be the norm, not the exception and to help the Australian Food industry to prioritise health, sustainability, and local economic growth. Openway Food Co. is the home of Red Tractor Foods, Table of Plenty and Keep It Cleaner brands which are loved by thousands of Australians. With a mission to create food that nourishes generations, we will continue to grow our stable of brands so we can make great tasting, better for your foods accessible to everyone. We work with a range of businesses from start-up brands to large multi-national FMCG businesses. As well as having our own brands, our state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities enable us to work in partnership with retailers on their private label products and to co-manufacture for other like businesses. Our manufacturing site is in Clayton South and our Sales and Marketing hub is in Cremorne.As a certified B Corp, we are dedicated to making a positive impact and using our business as a force for good. We’re on the hunt for talented people who want to be part of our exciting journey and grow with us.About The Role:Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for essential raw materialsThis is an opportunity to be hands-on and responsible for the end-to-end sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management of key raw materials – including seasonal or crop-dependent commodities as well as flavours, fats, dairy, plan protein and many more!Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure ingredient supply and support innovation in New Product Development You’ll work closely with Planning, Logistics, Quality, and R&D teams to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality ingredient supply to support our rapidly growing operations. As part of our growing, innovative business, you will also be integral to the NPD pipeline, collaborating with the project teams to source new materials and supply relationships.The role will report directly to our Head of Procurement and will predominately be based at our Clayton South Manufacturing site. Your responsibilities will include:Manage global supplier relationships and secure raw materials to meet demandDeal with supplier relationships and contracts across a global and domestic supplier base. Source and negotiate best value for seasonal, strategic raw materials and managing replenishment cycles to meet demand plans.Anticipate supply risks and inform strategy through market and commodity InsightsWork proactively to identify and resolve upcoming supply difficulties before they impact the business. Monitor commodity trends, harvest cycles, and currency impacts to inform purchasing strategy.Deliver commercial value through strategic cost management and data-driven forecastingDrive cost savings and commercial/strategic value delivery. Not only through cost reduction opportunities but also through delivering value beyond price. Maintain accurate costings, forecasts, and risk assessments within the ERP system and with a focus on data/spend analytics.Strengthen stakeholder partnerships and elevate Procurement through continuous improvementPartner with internal stakeholders to balance supply assurance, quality, and commercial outcomes. Drive continuous improvement in procurement practices and supplier performance.About You:We are looking for an experienced Procurement Specialist, who has experience working within FMCG space. You will have a “can do” mindset and be looking to learn and develop, grow the business with determination, resilience to deliver results and take on bigger challenges down the line. You’ll bring strong commercial acumen, a proactive mindset, and genuine enthusiasm for healthy food and ethical sourcing. You enjoy the challenge of sourcing natural ingredients, locally where possible and globally where necessary, and managing the volatility of crop-related commodities. You will be a ‘people person’, energised by great supplier relationship managementYou will have:3+ years’ experience in direct materials procurement, preferably in FMCG food manufacturing.Experience and expertise in food and/or packaging procurement and specifications.Experience sourcing seasonal or crop-dependent commodities preferred. Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.Confidence in cost breakdown analysis, contract negotiation and total cost ownershipSound understanding of commodity markets, seasonality, and global supply chains.Intermediate to advanced Excel and ERP (e.g. Pronto, SAP, D365 or similar).Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.You will bring to the team your passion, energy, and ability to work collaboratively with others to elevate our brands and service delivery to new and exciting places. What we can offer you:The opportunity to operate in a values-led workplace focused on transparency, collaboration, progressive, responsible and grounded thinking and practicesA competitive remuneration packagePersonal and professional developmentFlexible working arrangements Employee Assistance ProgramThis is an exciting opportunity to join an awesome team, focused on driving growth within the health food sector. Openway Food Co is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is able to thrive. We encourage applications from people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities. For more information on Openway Food Co, please visit our website:https://openwayfood.com.au/ For more information on the exciting B Corp movement, please visit their website:B Lab Global Site (bcorporation.net)Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical screening including drug and alcohol testing.