ABOUT ROLAND FOODS

Roland Foods, LLC, based in New York City, is an importer and distributor of high-quality specialty food products from more than 60 countries. Founded in Paris in 1934 and established in the U.S. in 1939, the Company provides customers with exceptional specialty foods, primarily offered under the Roland brand. The company has a national presence in the foodservice, retail, and industrial channels as well as international sales in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Roland Foods’ dedication to providing quality and consistency has made it a leader among food importers and suppliers. The Roland brand is synonymous with quality and authenticity for the consumer and chef alike.


ROLE DESCRIPTION

Roland Foods, LLC (“Roland Foods”) is a leading importer and distributor of shelf-stable specialty food products, and it is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Associate to work cross-functionally to identify, qualify and onboard new food products, new suppliers and new production facilities. In this role, you will manage projects that result in increased security of supply and drive sales growth. You will also secure raw materials and packaging from a global supply base, in line with Roland Foods’ product specifications and/or innovation requirements. 

The individual will have the opportunity to impact the business by increasing security of supply, increasing sales, reducing cost of goods and optimizing sourcing commercial terms for new items and secondary sourcing needs.

The ideal candidate will have purchasing, product development and project management experience in the consumer/packaged goods industry, with experience buying food or agricultural products a plus. We are seeking a team player who is a self-starter, motivated, organized, and thrives in a dynamic, collaborative environment. 


JOB SUMMARY AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Onboard new items, new suppliers, new manufacturing facilities to ensure security of supply, cost competitiveness and quality.
  • Work cross-functionally to execute and implement all commercial terms for new opportunities with items, suppliers and facilities. Partner with key internal and external stakeholders to drive projects and strategic initiatives, which may include as co-leading, managing end-to-end product development projects, amongst others.
  • Manage end-to-end product development projects that meet customer requirements for new items, new packaging sizes or types, and new raw material specifications. 
  • Negotiate with suppliers on key terms, including product cost, payment terms, production and packaging MOQs (minimum production and minimum order quantities), production lead time, and shipping. 
  • Identify, assess, qualify and onboard the best products and suppliers to meet  requirements
  • Lead product evaluation through sample cuttings.
  • Support the Strategic Sourcing Department in running sales and purchasing reports by conducting market analysis of harvest conditions, global supply and demand trends, price trends, viable supply base, and production specification availability.
  • Set up new items in our ERP system.


REQUIREMENTS:

  • Minimum of 1 to 3 years’ experience in purchasing, product development, project management, and/or strategic vendor management (security of supply, risk mitigation) 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain or related field


KEY COMPETENCIES:

  • Strong project management skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills 
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Ability to partner with suppliers and cross-functional colleagues to resolve project issues  
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast paced environment
  • Proficient communication skills
  • Knowledgeable in Microsoft Excel and PPT
  • Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is a plus (Microsoft AX, SAP, etc.) 


Founded by immigrants, Roland Foods knows that diversity is the spice of life. We believe in the power of food to open minds, spark adventure, and bring diverse people together.  All are welcome at our table! We know the transformative value of food in individual lives and communities. Because of this, we insist on obtaining the highest-quality ingredients and talent!

Roland Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Roland Foods considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Roland Foods is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at peopleandculture@rolandfoods.com.


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