The Shepherd Chemical Company manufactures metal-based chemicals that are essential to technologies for consumer safety, environmental sustainability, advanced product performance and industrial process efficiency. Partnering with industries from fragrance and personal care to petrochemicals and polyurethanes, Shepherd collaborates on both standard and custom co-developed metal chemistries. In collaboration with our customers, we are working to solve some of their most complex problems through the synthesis, scale up, and commercialization of inorganic and organic metal compounds.

Our employees scale projects from “concept to container”, travel the world to visit customers and attend industry conferences, and participate in community initiatives for health, wellness, safety and philanthropy. Performing meaningful work with trusted, talented colleagues is our formula for success and being a great place to work. Every day, our employees relentlessly pursue Shepherd’s Core Purpose and Core Values.

The Supply Chain Buyer provides overall strategic and tactical management of assigned raw material, packaging, and indirect material/service categories that creates the best value consistent with the quality and package handling requirements of Production. Position responsibilities include supplier selection & management, contract negotiation & execution, strategic procurement decision making, and related tactical purchasing activities for assigned raw material, packaging, and indirect material/service supply chains.

Job Responsibilities:

• Identify, select, manage, and evaluate suppliers according to department and company policies and practices
• Optimize inventories while limiting working capital exposure and minimizing service level impact to internal customers
• With assistance from Purchasing Manager, create and optimize purchasing strategy and supply chain resiliency while reducing total cost of ownership for assigned materials and services
• Create and maintain accurate material, price, and supplier data within SAP 
• Review supplier order confirmations for price, volume and delivery accuracy
• Create and maintain purchase specifications for all packaging materials
• Identify and qualify secondary/tertiary sources for assigned raw materials and packaging
• Arrange inbound freight with assistance from Logistics as required
• Ensure raw materials conform to purchase specifications with Quality Control
• Reconcile invoices with Accounts Payable as needed
• Maintain and foster collaborative efforts with other departments and Shepherd Material Science companies to identify, establish, and share best practices
• Monitor and support activities necessary for compliance with the Integrated Management System

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or equivalent education in technical field or business
• One (1) to three (3) years of purchasing, or equivalent, experience in a manufacturing company is preferred

Required Skills

• Technical aptitude – demonstrated ability to understand Shepherd raw material and packaging specifications and requirements
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – able to make presentations and conduct verbal and written negotiations with suppliers
• Demonstrated computer skills – Microsoft Office, SharePoint
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational problem solving / conflict resolution skills
• Strong organizational skills – able to manage multiple priorities at once
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building vital supplier relationships
• Effective communication skills to shape firm internal customer relationships with other departments
• “Whatever it takes” attitude to satisfy key internal customers

Desired Skills

• Previous work with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software – SAP preferred
• Experience with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems
• Postsecondary chemistry coursework
• Experience working with 3PL’s

Benefits

Full-time team members receive:

• Competitive Pay
• Health and Life Insurance (eligibility date of hire)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company 401K Contribution (eligibility date of hire)
• Company Bonus eligibility
• Fitness Membership subsidy
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Career Development

Work Environment

At times, you will be exposed to cold or hot, dusty and noisy surroundings.

Note: This position requires US Citizenship, Green Card, or Permanent Residency in the US.

EEO Statement

The Shepherd Material Science Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 or over), disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.