Procurement Specialist

All jobs at Southern Champion Tray (SCT) require Team members to act in accordance with the shared Core Values and Operating principles of the company as they perform specific job functions. These include:

• Trustworthy – We strive for our actions to match our words in all our relationships.
• Servant – Hearted – We enable and empower our team to serve the needs of customers, Team members, suppliers, and the community.
• Relational – We aim to build healthy relationships while fostering an environment that promotes compassion, balance, and personal and professional growth.
• Resourceful – We value strategic insourcing, first looking to create solutions internally, and then looking to apply that knowledge to future opportunities.

SUMMARY

The Procurement Specialist plays a key role in strengthening SCT’s enterprise-wide Procurement function. This position supports and executes sourcing strategies, ensures adherence to Procurement policies, and drives value through supplier performance, cost optimization, and risk reduction.

The Procurement Specialist manages assigned spend categories, oversees purchase execution, develops supplier relationships, monitors inventory levels, and partners cross-functionally to align procurement activities with operational needs. This role contributes to the development of SCT’s evolving Procurement organization by supporting strategic sourcing initiatives, continuous improvement, and cross‑department collaboration.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Procurement & Sourcing

• Supports sourcing activities by evaluating suppliers, proposals, contracts, and market trends
• Manages vendor relationships, monitors performance, and addresses quality or service concerns
• Identifies cost‑saving opportunities and recommends alternative products or suppliers
• Supports Procurement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and communicates updates to leadership

Purchase Execution and Category Management

• Executes purchase orders and maintains accurate pricing and data in ERP system
• Tracks order status, resolves delivery issues, and coordinates adjustments as needed
• Maintains vendor files, compliance documentation, and category-specific inventory levels

Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Collaborates with Production Planning and other departments to ensure material availability
• Prepares, analyzes, and summarizes procurement reports using Excel, JDE E1, Radius and related tools

General Expectations

• Participates in departmental initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and special projects
• Upholds SCT values, company policies, and professional communication standards
• Performs additional duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in procurement, sourcing, or purchasing roles
• Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating pricing, contracts, or terms
• Knowledge of procurement processes, contract management, and cost analysis
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., JDE and/or Radius) and data analysis tools
• Demonstrated skill in negotiation, supplier relationship management, and strategic sourcing
• Previous company purchasing experience preferred or demonstrated purchasing knowledge, skills and abilities in order to perform job
• General computer skills, including familiarity with Excel, Outlook, and Word
• Ability to work independently and support cross-functional teams
• J.D. Edwards EnterpriseOne and/or ePS Radius experience preferred but not required

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Good interpersonal and communication (both verbal and written) skills
• Ability to work satisfactorily as a Team Member and communicate with all levels within the company
• Excellent organizational skills
• Detail oriented
• Adept at problem solving and finding creative solutions
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment on a customary and regular basis 
• Ability to set, adjust and change daily priorities
• Ability to handle sudden changes in project/priority and multiple tasks simultaneously in a positive fashion
• Ability to manage conflict and resolve issues in the most positive fashion for all parties concerned

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Eighteen (18) years of age or older
• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screen, physical and background check
• Dependability

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and understand complex documents, letters, etc. and write legibly in English. 
• Ability to understand and speak clearly and communicate in English.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide both fractions and decimals, solve equations, read measurements. 
• Ability to use formulas to calculate and analyze data.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, but the essential functions cannot be eliminated or performed by others. 

While performing the duties of this job, regularly required to remain in a stationary position a minimum of 50% of the time, move and regularly operate a computer and other office equipment and properly employ objects, tools and/or controls and reach. Frequently required to communicate and exchange accurate information. Regularly required to reach and occasionally attain non-standard physical positions for varying amounts of time. 

Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Must occasionally transport up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Lifting devices must be used or help must be requested for anything over twenty-five (25) pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, but the essential functions cannot be eliminated or performed by others.

While performing the duties of this job, regularly exposed to a climate-controlled office environment and a shop manufacturing environment. 

Office environment exposures include frequent telephone and computer use. The noise level in the office is usually moderate consistent with an office environment. 

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, heights, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, machining operations and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the shop is usually loud consistent with an industrial manufacturing facility and may require hearing protection in certain areas.