Purchasing Specialist

Type: Full-Time in Santa Ana, CA Salary: $70,000 - $85,000 Company Overview: eJam is a leading consumer products brand incubator and holding company, specializing in direct-to-consumer e-commerce, third-party marketplaces, and retail distribution channels. We are committed to innovation, building brands and products that people love, and driving exceptional performance across multiple markets. Position Summary: The Purchasing Manager will manage the sourcing and procurement of raw ingredients and packaging components from global suppliers (primarily in North & South America), ensuring alignment with company goals and operational efficiency. This role requires a detail-oriented professional with proven experience in vendor management, cost optimization, and demand planning. Experience in the CPG industry, especially in personal care and/or confectionery, is highly preferred. This is an individual contributor role that reports to the Director of Supply Chain. What Your Day Will Look Like: Supplier Collaboration: Engage in daily communication with suppliers to confirm purchase orders, track production timelines, and resolve any fulfillment or quality issues. Sourcing & Negotiation: Identify and evaluate suppliers for raw ingredients and packaging; negotiate pricing, payment terms, and lead times to support margin targets and supply stability. Inventory & Demand Planning: Analyze inventory levels, collaborate on forecasts, and plan purchases to ensure supply aligns with sales velocity and production schedules. Purchase Order Execution: Create and manage POs in the company’s procurement system with precision, ensuring accurate specs, quantities, and timelines. Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with Product Development, Quality Control, and Demand Planning teams to ensure materials meet specifications and timelines for new launches and ongoing production. Problem Solving: Address supply issues such as shortages, defects, or delivery delays in coordination with QC and operations teams. Continuous Improvement: Drive improvements in procurement workflows, cost efficiency, and supplier performance. Key Responsibilities: Procurement & Sourcing Source raw ingredients and packaging materials for CPG products, with a focus on personal care and confectionery categories. Research and qualify new suppliers based on quality, compliance, service, and pricing. Manage supplier onboarding, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance evaluation. Monitor market trends and cost drivers for ingredients and materials. Demand Planning & Inventory Management Collaborate with supply chain and planning teams to align purchasing activities with sales forecasts and production needs. Maintain appropriate inventory levels to avoid stockouts while minimizing excess stock. Support production readiness for new product launches with timely procurement of components. Vendor Relations Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and enforce compliance with contracts and company standards. Track and report vendor performance metrics, including lead time, quality, and delivery reliability. Seek opportunities to consolidate vendors and improve sourcing efficiency. Process Optimization Recommend and implement improvements in procurement processes and tools. Maintain accurate and up-to-date procurement records and documentation. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred. Minimum 5 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or purchasing within a CPG environment. Hands-on experience with raw ingredient and packaging procurement is required. Strong preference for candidates with experience in personal care and/or confectionery product sourcing. Skilled in demand planning, supplier negotiation, and procurement systems. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Comfortable communicating with Global vendors via phone/email. Proficiency in procurement and inventory software tools. Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred. Must be able to work 9–6 PST in our Santa Ana office Monday through Friday Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Achieve 10% cost savings annually through negotiation and strategic sourcing Maintain ≥98% on-time delivery from suppliers Avoid stockouts on key materials by aligning procurement with demand planning Onboard at least 2 new qualified suppliers quarterly to diversify sourcing Cultural Alignment: Collaboration: Work seamlessly with internal teams and suppliers to achieve shared objectives. Efficiency: Constantly seek opportunities to streamline procurement processes. Accountability: Take ownership of procurement outcomes and drive results that align with company goals. Innovation: Identify and implement innovative approaches to enhance purchasing efficiency and cost savings. Benefits Health, Dental & Vision 401k Plan Amazing, pet-friendly, office environment Free drinks & snacks daily Be a part of a collaborative, fast-paced, and supportive work environment Work with a profitable, growing company in a high-growth industry