MRO Buyer

Job Title: Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) Purchaser Location: Gainesville, GA Department: Maintenance Reports To: Maintenance Supervisor Direct Reports: Maintenance Supervisor Travel: Normal Work Schedule: The typical working hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm with a 30-minute lunch.

Overview

of Company Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple® drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to- cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA.

We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr.

, and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth, it now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

Job Summary

The Maintenance, Repair and Operations Purchaser will be responsible for the oversight of the MRO Purchasing for the Maintenance Department. The Purchaser must have the ability to communicate with suppliers, discussing quotes and price increases, negotiating rates, and evaluating service and quality. Maintains updated price lists, ensuring accuracy in invoicing.

Responsibilities

Work closely with the Maintenance Department to ensure that necessary planned and unplanned parts are available.

• Negotiates purchases of all parts or materials assigned while insuring the ultimate in quality, price, and service including utilities.
• Stock items to replenish Parts Rooms when stock level goes below minimum stock requirement.
• Verify need of non-stock items and determine which department the item will be issued to via a Work Order.
• Works to find the best price for purchase.
• Help identify areas of improvement or concern around MRO spending patterns.
• Actively pursue continuous improvement of cost and quality of parts and components.
• Source through competitive quotations and utilizes vendor analysis techniques to choose suppliers.
• Expedite orders, when necessary, effectively manage expedites to eliminate emergency surcharges.
• Develop and maintain pre-determined stock levels of spare parts and consumables.
• Acts as liaison with Accounts Payable and resolves all invoice/payment issues.
• Maintain accurate records, spreadsheets and reports as required, including weekly budgetary data, part back orders and daily inventory reporting working in collaboration w/Maintenance Planner and Maintenance Parts Clerks.
• Bring ideas/solutions for continuous improvement to drive innovation/efficiency within the department. Assist in managing parts room and issue parts to maintenance personnel as needed.
• Build internal networks and fosters relationships with materials and repairs requestors, parts clerks, and maintenance planner.
• Work closely with the Maintenance Manager and/or Maintenance Assistant Manager on Capital Projects.
• Assist in developing organizational budget with management.
• Have a vast knowledge of the entire maintenance operation.
• Assist with daily needs of the Maintenance Planner including scheduling of contractors, preventative maintenance, and general maintenance work orders.
• Schedule part repairs and determine if a repair or replacement is more cost effective.
• Evaluates supplier reliability and performance. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Provide Purchase Orders for all parts and services needed.
• Verify purchasing against budgetary amounts.
• Technical skills in Microsoft, CMMS, systems to track inventory.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, and inventory preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Promotes safety, productivity, quality, and efficiency.

Education

& Experience: Associate degree preferred but not required.

• 3 - 5 years of experience in CMMS or SAP
• Experience in purchase of Factory MRO & other Indirect materials
• Experience with ERP and/or automated purchasing system
• Demonstrate ability to achieve results through effective management and leadership of others.
• CMMS or SAP experience required.
• Maintenance inventory in Food manufacturing: 3 years (Preferred) Physical Demands
• The role requires standing and walking for extended periods, often over eight hours per shift. The employee must be able to use hands, fingers, arms, and reach as part of daily tasks. The position involves lifting and moving up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Visual requirements include the ability to see up close, at a distance, and to adjust focus. Repetitive movement, bending, twisting, and climbing may be required. The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following:
• Vacation / Sick days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• Telemedicine
• Free annual health screening
• 401 (k) with company match
• STD and LTD
• Life insurance & other voluntary benefits
• Career Development: We support professional growth through continuous learning and development opportunities. Soules Foods is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. Applicants with disabilities needing accommodation during the application process can contact Human Resources at the relevant location. Soules Foods will not discriminate against applicants who discuss their compensation. We also participate in the E-Verify program where required by law. Unsolicited Assistance: Soules Foods does not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for U.S. positions. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted without a valid written request and search agreement from HR will be considered the property of Soules Foods. No fees will be paid for candidates hired through unsolicited referrals.