Job Description

Company:

Sabrosura Foods is one of the leading marketers of Hispanic products sold throughout the U.S. under the well-known brand names of Pancho’s, El Viajero, Reynaldo’s and La Morenita. We are dedicated to delivering authentic and high-quality products to our customers. Our passion lies in creating delicious, culturally inspired foods that connect people and cultures. Our drive for quality, authenticity, and innovation compels us to deliver exceptional products that celebrate the diverse cultures and tastes of our customers.

Job Summary:

The MRO Buyer – Maintenance is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) materials required to support the Maintenance department and ensure reliable, uninterrupted plant operations. This position works closely with the Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance team, Engineering, and Operations to ensure the timely availability of maintenance parts, equipment, supplies, and services required for preventive and corrective maintenance activities.

The MRO Buyer is responsible for ordering and expediting maintenance parts, obtaining competitive pricing, managing supplier relationships, monitoring inventory levels, and ensuring that required materials are available when needed to support plant operations. This position plays an important role in minimizing maintenance-related downtime while maintaining cost-effective purchasing practices and compliance with company, food safety, and safety requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

 Maintenance Purchasing

 Collaborate with the Maintenance Supervisor and Lead, Maintenance Technicians, and Engineering teams to understand equipment requirements, specifications, critical spare parts, and maintenance needs.

• Serve as the primary purchasing resource for the Maintenance department for MRO parts, supplies, equipment, and services.
• Responsible for ordering and expediting maintenance parts to support preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities.
• Source and procure MRO materials, including spare parts, tools, equipment, consumables, and maintenance supplies from approved vendors.
• Obtain and compare vendor quotes to ensure competitive pricing, quality, availability, and delivery.
• Create and maintain purchase orders and ensure orders are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Follow up on open, delayed, backordered, or critical spare part orders and communicate delivery updates to the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Assist Maintenance Technicians in identifying and sourcing hard-to-find, special-order, or obsolete parts when needed.

Inventory Management

 Monitor MRO inventory levels in coordination with the Maintenance Supervisor to maintain appropriate stock levels for critical maintenance parts.

• Identify critical spare parts and help ensure adequate availability to minimize equipment downtime.
• Support inventory cycle counts, physical inventories, and reconciliation activities.
• Monitor excess, obsolete, and slow-moving MRO inventory and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary inventory costs.
• Coordinate with receiving and warehouse personnel to ensure purchased MRO materials are properly received, identified, and stored.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and inventory records within Manager Plus (M+) / CMMS and applicable ERP systems.

Vendor and Contractor Management

 Develop and maintain effective relationships with MRO suppliers, contractors, and service providers.

• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, and other purchasing conditions to achieve cost-effective agreements.
• Maintain current records of approved MRO vendors and contractors.
• Monitor supplier performance related to pricing, quality, delivery, and service.
• Resolve vendor issues related to incorrect, damaged, defective, or delayed materials and services.
• Coordinate with approved contractors and service providers for maintenance-related parts, repairs, and services as requested by the Maintenance Supervisor or Engineering.
• Coordinate purchasing-related activities for required inspections, certifications, and maintenance services when assigned.

Maintenance Support and Communication

 Provide the Maintenance Supervisor with regular updates regarding critical spare parts, open purchase orders, backorders, and expected delivery dates.

• Support the Maintenance department by ensuring parts and materials required for preventive and corrective maintenance activities are available when needed.
• Work with Maintenance and Engineering to identify alternative parts or suppliers when the required part is unavailable or has an extended lead time.
• Utilize Manager Plus (M+) / CMMS and applicable ERP systems to process purchase orders, track materials, and maintain accurate purchasing information.
• Maintain organized documentation related to purchase orders, vendor quotes, pricing, contracts, and supplier information.
• Analyze purchasing and inventory data to identify cost-saving opportunities, purchasing trends, and process improvements.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company procurement policies, approval requirements, and internal controls.
• Ensure MRO materials and services are purchased in accordance with applicable company, GMP, food safety, and safety requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to maintenance purchasing, inventory management, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor, Plant Engineer, or other authorized Manager.

Education and Experience

 Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 2–4 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience, preferably in a food manufacturing or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting maintenance or engineering departments with MRO purchasing is preferred.
• Experience purchasing maintenance parts, industrial equipment, mechanical components, electrical components, tools, or other MRO materials preferred.
• Experience with Manager Plus (M+) / CMMS and ERP systems is a plus.
• Experience with vendor management and price negotiation preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM or CSCP are a plus.

Required Skills / Abilities

 Strong knowledge of MRO purchasing maintenance parts, supplies, and industrial equipment.

• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills with a focus on cost control, quality, and reliable delivery.
• Ability to understand maintenance requirements, equipment specifications, and part requirements.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders and priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify cost-saving opportunities and make sound purchasing decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for data analysis, purchasing reports, and inventory tracking.
• Ability to effectively utilize Manager Plus (M+) / CMMS and ERP systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, vendors, contractors, and other internal departments.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the Maintenance Supervisor and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety standards, and safety requirements in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate safe work habits and follow all company safety requirements.
• Ability to also support Commerce facility as needed. Can include dedicating a full work day(s) dependent on plant necessities. 

• Experience with vendor management and price negotiation preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM or CSCP are a plus.

Physical Requirements:  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to regularly walk the production floor, maintenance areas, warehouse, and MRO storage areas.
• Repetitive standing, walking, bending, twisting, stooping, grasping, climbing, reaching, and moving throughout the facility.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, including exposure to cold, heat, and humidity.
• Works in high-noise areas and must wear appropriate hearing protection and other required PPE.
• Vision abilities include close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception.
• Ability to work in a multi-shift manufacturing environment and provide support outside of normal business hours when business needs require.
• May be required to work around spices, meat ingredients, dairy products and other food manufacturing materials as part of daily activities.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.