Senior Buyer

Job Brief Lead company-wide sourcing, supplier negotiations, and procurement of packaging, PPE, MRO supplies, and other indirect materials. Leverage our purchasing scale, strengthen supplier partnerships, and deliver measurable cost savings and improvements. Pay range: $100,000 to $115,000 plus incentive About Santa Monica Seafood Founded in 1939, Santa Monica Seafood is a family-owned business that has grown into the largest seafood-only distributor in the Southwestern United States, serving foodservice and retail customers through an extensive network of processing and distribution facilities. Our reputation is built on an unwavering commitment to product quality, food safety, responsible sourcing, and exceptional customer service. This highly visible Senior Buyer position offers an experienced procurement professional the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the organization by strengthening supplier partnerships, leveraging our purchasing scale, and driving measurable improvements in cost, efficiency, and operational performance. Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer – Packaging & Indirect Materials to lead strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and procurement activities for packaging, personal protective equipment (PPE), maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies, and other indirect materials across our operations. This position will play a key role in consolidating purchasing activities across company locations, leveraging our collective buying power, reducing costs, and ensuring reliable supply to support our production and distribution operations. The ideal candidate combines strong negotiation and analytical skills with hands-on procurement experience and a demonstrated ability to deliver measurable cost savings while maintaining quality, service, and supply continuity. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Lead company-wide sourcing and procurement activities for packaging materials, PPE, MRO supplies, sanitation products, and other indirect purchasing categories. Develop sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, service, supply continuity, and operational requirements. Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers to improve purchasing leverage and reduce supply risks. Conduct competitive bidding, RFQs, RFPs, and supplier selection processes. Monitor market trends, material costs, and supplier capabilities to support purchasing decisions. Supplier Relationship & Contract Management Establish and maintain productive relationships with key suppliers. Negotiate pricing, payment terms, supply agreements, rebates, and service-level commitments. Manage supplier contracts, renewals, and compliance with negotiated terms. Evaluate supplier performance using cost, quality, delivery, and service metrics. Address supplier performance issues and develop corrective action plans when necessary. Cost Optimization & Purchasing Efficiency Identify and implement measurable cost-reduction and cost-avoidance initiatives. Consolidate suppliers and standardize purchasing practices across company locations. Analyze purchasing expenditures to identify savings and process improvement opportunities. Develop annual procurement savings objectives and track results. Support inventory optimization and working capital improvement initiatives. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Distribution, Finance, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and other departments to understand purchasing requirements. Coordinate procurement activities across multiple facilities to maximize purchasing leverage. Support packaging specifications, new product introductions, and operational improvement initiatives. Assist with inventory planning to minimize shortages, excess inventory, and operational disruptions. Resolve supplier-related issues affecting production, distribution, or customer service. Risk Management & Compliance Evaluate supplier reliability, f…

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