Purchasing Officer

About the role

The Purchasing Officer is responsible for executing end-to-end procurement activities for raw materials, packaging components, and indirect services necessary for manufacturing food or pharmaceutical products. This role ensures high standards of quality compliance (such as HACCP, GMP, and FSANZ regulations), optimal inventory levels, cost-effectiveness, and uninterrupted supply chain operations within a heavily regulated Melbourne manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Generate, issue, and track purchase orders (POs) for raw materials, food ingredients and additives, and primary/secondary packaging materials.

• Monitor inventory levels against production forecasts, minimum/maximum stock thresholds, and lead times to prevent stockouts or overstocking.

• Expedite urgent orders and resolve delivery discrepancies, backorders, or damaged goods directly with local and international suppliers.

• Maintain strong relationships with approved vendors, evaluating their ongoing performance regarding delivery reliability, pricing, and quality.

• Assist in negotiating competitive pricing, volume rebates, and favorable payment terms with suppliers.

• Source alternative or secondary suppliers for critical components to mitigate supply chain risks and ensure business continuity.

• Ensure all purchased materials strictly comply with Australian regulatory standards, including FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) guidelines for food businesses, or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).

• Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) teams to manage vendor qualifications.

• Maintain accurate documentation and audit-ready records for all procurement transactions, supplier accreditations, and traceability data.

• Coordinate closely with Production, Planning, Warehousing, and QA departments to align purchasing schedules with daily manufacturing demands.

About you

• Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, Science (Food Science/Chemistry), or a related discipline.