Global Supply Chain Merchandiser

ABOUT BAY STATE MILLING:

Bay State Milling is a family-owned company with a strategic intent to support the growth of the next generation of grain-based foods in North America by providing the leading array of plant-based ingredients. Since 1899, we have proudly provided exceptional quality flour and grain products, and we continue to build on our legacy as we bring new supply chains and technologies into our realm of capabilities.  Our Core purpose is to provide food ingredients to promote the growth of healthful and affordable food choices for the consumer.

 

We recognize that the universe of grain-based foods is constantly changing and responding to consumers’ desire for variety, healthfulness, great taste and affordability in their food choices. We are not afraid of change; in fact, we believe that change cultivates opportunity. Our goal is to stay a step ahead of our customer’s needs, while always maintaining the trust they have placed in us for generations. We are committed to maintaining our Core Values of INTEGRITY, QUALITY, CREATIVITY, CARING, and COLLABORATION in pursuit of achieving this goal.

 

SUMMARY

The Global Supply Chain Merchandiser is responsible for the execution of  domestic and international raw material supply chains including seeds, spices, grains, and other key ingredients used in the company’s bakery product lines. This role manages both conventional and organic supply chains and bears direct responsibility for contract negotiation, supplier certification, price risk management, logistics, and inventory strategy.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT
Seasonal international travel of approximately 20–25% is required to supplier locations, company facilities, and key

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Administer the procurement of bakery ingredient commodities across global and domestic markets.
• Manage supplier relationships, including certification and compliance for both organic and conventional ingredients.
• Negotiate purchase contracts and contribute to commodity hedging and price risk strategies.
• Coordinate inbound logistics and storage planning to maintain most favorable inventories of raw materials.
• Monitor and communicate market trends and supply risks for key crops including ancient grains, seeds, and spices.
• Collaborate closely with the broader Supply Chain Services team to align sourcing strategies with company-wide goals.
• Represent the company at industry functions, supplier meetings, and site visits.

• Procure Specialty Commodities: Execute supply chains for domestic and internationally sourced specialty grains, seeds, spices, and other assigned commodities in alignment with direction from the Senior Supply Chain Manager.
• Vendor & Specification Management: In collaboration with Quality Assurance and Operations, develop and implement commodity specifications.  In collaboration with accounts payable, reconcile payment issues.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Participate in the development of long-term goals and sourcing strategies for specialty commodities. Work collaboratively as part of the Supply Chain Services team to define strategic direction, and make timely, independent decisions to support execution.
• Vendor Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with both new and existing suppliers to ensure a secure, diverse, and cost-effective supply chain for specialty commodities. In partnership with the Senior Supply Chain Manager and Quality Assurance, identify ingredient suppliers that support a diverse and competitive offering of conventional and organic products to ensure optimal and diverse access to raw materials. Administer the raw material and vendor approval processes for assigned commodities.
• Commodity Risk & Price Management: Manage daily price risk related to the ownership, transport, and storage of commodities. Maintain accurate and timely updates of commodity cost data to support pricing models and development of price lists.
• Market Intelligence & Communication: Analyze regional, domestic, and global market trends for specialty commodities. Provide regular updates to Sales and senior leadership on market conditions, pricing, and strategic insights. Lead or contribute to internal and customer-facing market communications and briefings.
• Inventory Oversight & Optimization: Oversee inventory levels of specialty commodities to ensure optimal milling performance, blending quality, and economic returns. Work with Operations to define optimal inventories and storage of raw materials.
• Issue Resolution: Manage and resolve vendor claims, credits, and quality-related concerns promptly and professionally. Collaborate to mitigate impact of off grade ingredients including but not limited to negotiating resolution with vendors, defining and executing reconditioning of products and rework with company facilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues across Procurement, Sales, Operations, Logistics, Accounting, R&D, and Quality Assurance to support seamless day-to-day operations and problem-solving efforts. Must be self-directed and effective in a hybrid work environment.

 

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.

 

• Interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with a team
• Analytical and Mathematical skills
• Customer Service and Problem Solving
• Experience in Commodity Merchandising Support preferred
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and/or remotely
• Experience in the grain-based foods industry is a plus

 

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE   

Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college or university, or commensurate work experience. Preference given to experience in commodity trading.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS   

English fluency is essential.  Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to respond to either common and sensitive inquiries or complaints from internal and external customers. High attention to detail and a keen eye for esthetics.  

 

MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTER SKILLS  

Competency in Spreadsheet and Word Processing software required (Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint windows applications preferred). The ability to adopt emerging technology resources is a plus.  The ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations is essential.

 

REASONING ABILITY 

Must possess acumen and judgment in business situations, with ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

 

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

PHYSICAL DEMANDS the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen.  The employee frequently is required to sit or stand.  The Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally exposed to a nonmanufacturing, office type environment and minimal exposure to noise, dust, and industrial type machinery.