Purchasing Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Harrisburg, PA 17101Position Type: Full TimeJob Shift: DayJob Category: Purchasing - ProcurementJoin Our Team

Hershey's Ice Cream is looking for a detail-oriented, results-driven Purchasing Specialist to join our team. In this role, you'll play a key part in ensuring our production facilities have the ingredients, packaging, and supplies needed to keep operations running efficiently.

You'll work closely with suppliers and internal departments to optimize inventory levels, control costs, and build strong vendor relationships while supporting our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Position Overview

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for sourcing ingredients, packaging materials, operational supplies, and co-manufactured products. This position manages the purchasing process from purchase order through delivery while identifying opportunities to reduce costs, improve supplier performance, and maintain optimal inventory levels.

What You'll Do

Manage vendor relationships from purchase order through product delivery.

Purchase ingredients, packaging materials, operational supplies, and co-manufactured finished goods.

Monitor inventory levels to ensure uninterrupted production and minimize shortages.

Collaborate with Production, Scheduling, and Inventory teams to anticipate purchasing needs.

Negotiate pricing, terms, and service agreements with suppliers.

Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, pricing, accuracy, responsiveness, and on-time delivery.

Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve purchasing processes.

Optimize freight costs and delivery performance.

Resolve invoice discrepancies and ensure purchase orders match vendor invoices.

Prepare requests for pricing and supplier proposals.

Manage dairy and sugar purchasing.

Assist with required dairy purchasing reports and internal reporting.

Maintain accurate pricing within the company's ERP system.

Order office supplies as needed.

Support supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Work with Production and Inventory teams to identify and resolve defective product issues.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QualificationsWhat We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or inventory management experience.

Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.

ERP system experience in a manufacturing environment.

Food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods experience is a plus.

Why Join Hershey's Ice Cream?

At Hershey's Ice Cream, you'll become part of a company with a long-standing tradition of quality and innovation. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and employees who are committed to helping us deliver great products to our customers every day.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay: $26-29 per hour dependent on experience

Schedule: Full-Time 37.5 hour work week

Benefits May Include

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Opportunities for Career Growth

Work Location

This position supports operations at both our Harrisburg and Middletown, PA facilities. While work responsibilities are shared between both locations, the selected candidate may choose either facility as their primary office location.

Apply Today!

If you're a motivated professional who enjoys building supplier relationships, improving processes, and helping keep manufacturing operations running smoothly, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of the Hershey's Ice Cream team!