Procurement Specialist

Company DescriptionBread Man Baking Co. is a Houston-based commercial bakery founded in 2018 that's committed to crafting premium artisan breads for the food service, grocery, and co-manufacturing sectors. Renowned for its dedication to quality and craftsmanship, the company takes pride in delivering exceptional baked goods to customers and partners across the country. Operating in a collaborative and results-driven environment, Bread Man Baking Co. offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a rapidly growing business. This role provides the chance to build and shape a procurement function from the ground up—allowing you to put your own stamp on processes, systems, and strategy as the company continues to expand. Join our team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of outstanding artisan bread to our valued clients and customers.Role DescriptionWe are seeking a highly capable Procurement Specialist to support our rapid growth by leading strategic sourcing, inventory management, and supplier performance initiatives. This full-time, on-site role in Houston, TX is essential to maintaining consistent quality, reliable supply, and appropriate inventory levels across all raw materials, packaging, and consumables that support daily production. The Procurement Specialist will oversee day-to-day procurement operations, including managing purchase orders, evaluating and selecting suppliers, and negotiating contracts to ensure optimal sourcing of products and services. Responsibilities also include analyzing purchasing data, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors, and ensuring materials are delivered on time and meet quality standards. This role plays a key part in controlling costs, strengthening supplier relationships, and ensuring efficient, uninterrupted supply chain operations.Key ResponsibilitiesProcurement & Vendor ManagementManage end-to-end procurement of raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure quality, reliability, and competitive pricing Negotiate pricing, contracts, and terms to drive cost savings and improve margins Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, consistency, delivery, and cost Identify and onboard new suppliers to reduce risk and improve sourcing flexibility Monitor market trends and proactively adjust sourcing strategies Inventory Management & ControlOwn and manage inventory levels of all raw materials, consumables, and packaging Establish and maintain optimal par levels to support production while minimizing waste and excess Partner with production and planning teams to align purchasing with demand forecasts and production schedules Monitor inventory usage, variances, and shrink to ensure accuracy and accountability Conduct regular inventory reviews and cycle counts to maintain data integrity Implement systems and processes to improve inventory visibility, tracking, and control Ensure timely replenishment to avoid production disruptions Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner closely with production, quality, and operations teams to ensure alignment on product specifications and material requirements Support quality initiatives by ensuring suppliers consistently meet defined standards Communicate proactively around supply risks, shortages, or changes that may impact production Process Improvement & StrategyDrive cost-saving initiatives without compromising product quality Implement and improve procurement and inventory management processes to support scale Leverage data and reporting to improve forecasting, purchasing decisions, and inventory turns Support leadership in building a more disciplined, efficient supply chain function Qualifications3+ years of procurement, purchasing, inventory management, or supply chain experience (food manufacturing preferred) Strong understanding of inventory control principles (par levels, turns, forecasting, shrink) Proven negotiation and vendor management skills Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail Experience with ERP/inventory management systems Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills What Success Looks LikeRight product, right time, right quantity—no production disruptions due to supply gaps Reduced waste, improved inventory turns, and tighter control of on-hand materials Strong supplier performance and consistent product quality Measurable cost savings through strategic sourcing and disciplined purchasing Scalable systems and processes that support continued growth