Austin Long

About Austin Long

Hello, my name is Austin Long, and I am currently a Senior Commodity Buyer with Hormel Foods. I have spent the past 11 years with Hormel, building a broad supply chain career that spans transportation operations, freight procurement, tree nut purchasing, and ingredient purchasing. I began my career in transportation operations, gaining first-hand experience in execution, service levels, and day-to-day logistics challenges. I then transitioned into freight procurement, where I managed carrier strategy, cost optimization, and cross-functional alignment. From there, I moved into tree nut purchasing, supporting commodity sourcing, supplier partnerships, and risk management. Most recently, I have expanded my scope into ingredient purchasing, where I focus on category strategy, supplier performance, and cost-in-use optimization while partnering closely with R&D, Quality, and Operations. My experience across operations, logistics, and purchasing gives me a strong end-to-end perspective on the supply chain and allows me to make sourcing decisions that balance cost, service, quality, and risk.

Experience

1. Senior Commodity Buyer

   Hormel Foods

   Aug 2025 — Present · US

   Senior Commodity Buyer – Tree Nuts | Hormel FoodsAs Senior Commodity Buyer at Hormel Foods, I lead the strategic sourcing and procurement of raw tree nuts for the iconic Planters brand. My role centers on navigating complex global supply chains, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring cost-effective, high-quality ingredient acquisition to support one of America’s most beloved snack brands.With a sharp eye on market trends, risk mitigation, and sustainability, I help drive value across the organization while maintaining the integrity and consistency of our products. From almonds to cashews, I work cross-functionally with R&D, quality assurance, and operations to align sourcing strategies with brand goals and consumer expectations.

Education

• Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business

  Bachelor's degree, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management

  2010 — 2014

Skills

• Supply Chain
• Quality Control
• Teamwork
• Food Processing
• Supply Chain Management
• Leadership
• Microsoft Excel
• Supply Chain Operations