Purpose

The Buyer is responsible for source selection and procurement functions directly associated with the company’s needs for indirect materials and services and select production materials and services to include stamping fasteners, formed wire, steel tube, and welded assemblies. These products and services are to be secured at a cost quality and at delivery competitive levels consistent with company policy and performance standards. This position is further responsible for the development and implementation of a commodity strategy for the commodities within the scope of the role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Initiates purchase orders and amendments for parts, services and/or special tools; arranges for submission and inspection of sample products as required; maintains close coordination with plant engineering to ensure timely execution of product and services sourcing activities.
• Secures and analyzes quotations, negotiates prices and terms with suppliers, and recommends suppliers with respect to cost, quality and delivery competitiveness for assigned responsibilities.
• Studies market prices and trends, engineering developments, and manufacturing method improvements applicable to assigned responsibilities; advises company activities with concurrence of the procurement director.
• Interviews and confers with current and prospective suppliers to determine supply capabilities, transportation logistics inventory control and management; negotiates prices and delivery terms. Conducts site evaluations and assessments when required.
• Assists plant material control personnel in the planning of recent schedules and inventory control parameters for the assigned products and services.
• Coordinates as appropriate quality matters and engineering changes/developments between company activities and suppliers.
• Visits suppliers’ facilities to qualify them as new sources and assists in the resolution of production, design, quality and/or delivery problems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree with preferred emphasis in supply management, business administration, economics, or engineering, or equivalent.
• 2-5 years of progressively responsible purchasing and materials control experience in a manufacturing environment.

Competencies

• Financial Management
• Organizational Skills
• Communication Proficiency
• Technical Capacity
• Ethical Conduct
• Collaboration
• Project Management
• Time Management
• Confidentiality

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting with occasional plant floor visits and observation.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, kneel, crouch, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.