Buyer II - Produce & Agriculture (Hybrid or Remote)

Litehouse is seeking a strategic Buyer II to join our team! This position is open to Hybrid or Remote work. If you live near one of our locations and prefer to be onsite, we are happy to support a hybrid model. As a Buyer II you will oversee the sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and management of all processed produce, herbs and spices, dairy, and other agricultural raw materials used in Litehouse products. This role ensures consistent quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness across all agricultural commodities while maintaining strong supplier partnerships and supporting sustainability initiatives. This position partners closely with Quality Assurance, R&D, Operations, and Demand Planning to uphold product integrity, food safety, and supply continuity. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of agricultural commodities, market dynamics, and supplier relationship management. What you will do • Manage the sourcing and purchasing of agricultural ingredients to support business needs. • Partner with R&D, Product Development, and Demand Planning on new ingredient sourcing and forecast alignment to ensure supply continuity and innovation support. • Negotiate pricing, contracts, and seasonal agreements to optimize cost and secure reliable supply during variable crop cycles. • Monitor commodity markets, weather patterns, crop forecasts, and freight conditions to anticipate supply risks and recommend mitigation strategies. • Evaluate and develop supplier capabilities; conduct audits with QA to ensure compliance with Litehouse standards and FSMA regulations. • Collaborate with Operations and Planning to align purchasing activities with production schedules and inventory targets. • Support sustainability, traceability, and vendor scorecard initiatives focused on continuous improvement and long-term value creation. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Agribusiness, Food Science, or a related field (required). Equivalent experience in produce, dairy, or agricultural commodities will be considered. • 4-7 years of procurement experience, preferably in produce, dairy, agricultural ingredients, or food manufacturing. • Strong understanding of crop and dairy production cycles, seasonality, and agricultural sourcing dynamics. • Demonstrated success in negotiating contracts with growers and processors. • Experience managing supplier performance, relationships, and corrective action plans. • Working knowledge of food safety, traceability, and sustainability standards. • In-depth knowledge of agricultural commodity markets and global supply dynamics. • Ability to interpret crop reports, weather trends, and market data to anticipate pricing and supply shifts. • Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. • Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across Quality, R&D, and Operations teams. • Proficient in ERP and procurement systems (e.g., M3 or similar). • Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally to visit growers and processors. Our people are passionate about what they do, the product they sell, and the customers they serve. If you're looking for an opportunity to be a part of a work family that values collaboration, innovation and dedication, we're the right company for you. We do not offer sponsorship All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.